Displacing Fear

Fear is a powerful motivator.  It can cause us to run in a panic or freeze in place.  It can cause us to do things we never thought we would or could.  It can keep us from doing what we know we can and should. Fear can override most other motivators but there is one to which fear must take a back seat: Love!

While a burning building produces more than a sufficient amount of fear to keep us at a safe distance, just watch a mother run directly into that inferno to save a child.  The fact that she is running into harm's way is completely displaced by the fact that the child she loves is in mortal danger.  Staring down the barrel of a loaded gun is normally motivation enough to do just what one is told but not nearly enough if you believe the gunman is about to do harm to your wife or family.

Just how far will you go for your wife, your kids, your friends, your country?  The only limit is the amount of love you have for them.  If there is sufficient love, there is no boundary fear can erect that you cannot cross, no threat you cannot face, no outcome you won't risk.  Fear cannot take you to a place where love forbids nor keep you from what love demands.

Fear loses its power where love abounds: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 Jn 4:18).  Even standing before Almighty God, where fear would be the most natural response for a mere mortal, His love and our love for Him leaves no room for it.  Because of love, our fear is displaced and we can "approach God's throne of grace with confidence" (Heb 4:16).

So, here's the deal in facing any and all our fears: God loves us and he "will not leave [us] as orphans" (Jn 4:18 - not 1 Jn 4:18).  Therefore, to the degree we believe in God's power to rescue and in his love for us, that is the degree to which we can displace fear of any and everything.  Even when we "walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  [we] will fear no evil because [He} is with [us]" (Ps 23:4).

Tired of living in fear?  Displace it by living in love, knowing and feeling God's love regardless of the fearful circumstances, assured that God's got this and eternal life is the final outcome of our lives.  Jus' Say'n.