TODAY IS…
the perfect day to conquer fear with love.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 NASB

The love that God has for us will protect us if we will only embrace it.

Just as the love we have for our children causes us to keep a watchful eye over them, God watches over us. Does God prevent every bad thing we can think of from happening?

No.

But then, good parents know that children will incur some bumps and bruises as a normal part of growing up. It is not wise to even attempt to protect those we love from events that help them to grow. They would have to be placed in a protective bubble, and that would hurt them in the long run more than the bumps and bruises their bodies and hearts will sustain along the path of life.

Our love will reassure them, give them confidence, and help them to set aside their fears. We will encourage them to get on a bicycle and attempt to ride on two wheels. We will do this knowing they may fall down a time or two and sustain a scrape, a cut, or a bruise. In our love, we will help them up, clean them off, comfort them, and encourage them to try again. This is the pattern of life, and the responsibility of a loving parent. The love we give our children gives them courage to do things they are afraid of: joining a drama club at school; learning ballet; becoming a member of a baseball team; speaking in public.

No matter what their interests, we know that there is an element of fear involved and it is our job to allay those fears, and we do this with love.

So it is with ourselves, our fears, and our God. He is the perfect parent, giving us perfect love, and He is always there for us. He will not remove every obstacle. He will not prevent us from falling down or failing. As the perfect parent, He will watch us, knowing that we will hurt ourselves, and then He will be there to pick us up, dust us off, and show us His perfect love.

And for those times when we get hurt, there is no better place to seek comfort than in the loving arms of God. Let the power of God’s perfect love give you all the courage you need to live to the fullest the gift of each new day He gives you.

*****

Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson