WHEN LOVE GETS LOUDER — ONE MORE THOUGHT

Fear is part of being human, but it was never meant to tell us how to live. In this series, we've looked at the voice of fear while rediscovering the Perfect Love that draws us toward Himself.

What Love Has Taught Me About Fear

A Few Lessons From Along The Way

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...” 1 John 4:18

I've lived long enough to know that fear probably isn't going to stop knocking on my door. I've also walked with Jesus long enough to know I don't have to invite it in and let it rearrange the furniture.

Here are a few things I'm learning along the way.

Fear is a terrible counselor. It has given me plenty of advice over the years, and very little of it has made my life larger.

Fear drives. Love draws. Whenever I find myself hiding, controlling, performing, or protecting, I've learned to listen again for the Voice drawing me toward Home.

My imagination needs a Shepherd too. I've spent enough time worrying about things that never happened to know how easily fear can write tomorrow without including Abba.

Courage doesn't mean fear has left the room. We wouldn't need courage if there weren't something to fear. Sometimes courage is simply refusing to let fear have the microphone.

I can give excellent advice about someone else's fear while being remarkably creative at justifying my own. Apparently wisdom is much easier when I'm not the one who has to use it!

Fear prefers what feels safe to freedom. It will gladly make my world smaller if I'll agree to call the smaller world comfortable.

People's fear gives their opinions more power than they were ever meant to have. People are wonderful resources of love but terrible Sources of identity. The more I receive Abba's acceptance, affirmation, and approval, the freer I become to enjoy yours without being afraid of losing it.

How would I treat a friend who lied to me as often as my fears do? I'm learning that not every fearful thought deserves my attention simply because it showed up.

And perhaps the one I'm learning most:

The goal was never to become fearless. It was to know Love.

Fear will probably speak again. It may tell me to hide, protect myself, worry about tomorrow, seek someone's approval, or stay somewhere safe because moving feels too risky.

But after all these years, I'm learning something much more important than how to silence fear.

I'm learning which Voice I trust.

Fear drives me away from the life I was created to live. Perfect Love keeps drawing me toward the Father who has never stopped loving me.

Fear may knock.

Fear may speak.

Fear may even shake me for a while.

But it doesn't get to tell me who I am, where I belong, or how I will live.

Love does.

Reflection

Which of these sounds most familiar in my own journey?

What has fear been teaching me that Love is inviting me to unlearn?

Where is Love drawing me today?

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You for patiently teaching me that I never have to follow fear to find safety. When fear speaks, remind me whose Voice I trust and whose Love gets the final word. Amen.