WHEN LOVE GETS LOUDER — PART 2

Fear is part of being human, but it was never meant to tell us how to live. In this series, we'll look honestly at the voice of fear while discovering again the Perfect Love that draws us toward freedom.

Fear Is A Terrible Counselor

Learning To Recognize The Voice We Shouldn't Follow

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Fear Gives Bad Advice

Have you ever made a decision while you were afraid and later wondered, “What was I thinking?”

Probably not much!

Fear has a way of narrowing our vision until the thing we're afraid of becomes the biggest thing we can see.

We exaggerate the size of the problem, imagine outcomes that haven't happened, and then begin responding to those imagined outcomes as though they were already true.

That's why I've often said, There is no reasoning with fear.

When Fear Starts Talking

Fear is a terrible counselor because its advice almost always sounds like protection.

Don't have the conversation; you might lose the relationship.

Don't pursue the dream; you might fail.

Don't love again; you've already been hurt.

Don't let them really know you; they may not accept you.

Before long, fear hasn't disappeared. We've simply made our lives small enough to accommodate it.

Marya Mannes wrote, “Fear has always been a diminisher of life.”

A Sound Mind

Paul gives Timothy something much better than instructions for managing fear.

He reminds him what God has already given him: power, love, and a sound mind.

Fear narrows what we see; Love opens our eyes again.

Fear imagines a future where we're alone; Love reminds us Who is already there.

Fear tells us to protect ourselves at any cost; Love gives us the freedom to live rather than simply remain safe.

Choose Your Counselor

Fear will still offer advice. It just doesn't deserve a seat at the table.

A question I've learned to ask is:

How would I treat a friend who lied to me as often as my fears do?

We don't have to argue with fear until it finally agrees with us. We can simply turn our attention toward the One whose voice has always been true.

Fear gives bad advice. Love keeps telling us the Truth.

Reflection

What advice has fear been giving me?

Where has fear encouraged me to make my life smaller?

What does Abba's Love say is true instead?

Prayer

Abba Father, help me recognize the voice of fear without following it. Let Your Love and Truth shape the way I see and live. Amen.