1 John 4 v. 18 NIV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
It was a beautiful day in the school holidays and I had decided to take 5 of our grandchildren aged between 6 and 15 into the city of Wellington. We planned to go for a ride on the Cable Car but before that, Nana had a 15 minute appointment to see a specialist. I figured the grandchildren would be fine sitting in the vehicle outside the specialist rooms and after all, it was just a follow up appointment.
My specialist was kind but wasted no time. Fear entered the room. It came in the form of words from a specialist commenting on a CT scan I’d had 4 days before. A lesion had been found on my pancreas indicating a potentially serious medical diagnosis. He would refer me to a surgeon for an urgent appointment. But for now, I needed to park the fear I was feeling and put on a great act for my 5 grandchildren, waiting patiently outside. We had a Cable Car ride to go on and McDonalds awaited for lunch.
Fear made multiple appearances and sent me many invitations to collude with the words of the surgeon who did not give me much hope. One day, fear was particularly rampant. I remembered some of the words of the above scripture that Perfect love casts out fear. Shouting those words to the manifestation of fear sent it packing, at least on that day.
I don’t usually wield my authority as a believer to speak to fear and Im wondering why. This fear was over my literal life. I was not willing to give into any suggestion of dying
The authority of the Word of God is higher than anything man say say. And it is higher than any demonic fear. As I purposefully, deliberately, aligned, attached and appropriated the Word of God at the fear, the fear had to leave. Jesus who is the Word of God is also perfect love and His perfect love has the power to cast out fear. He lives
Have you ever found yourself wrestling with fear?
I had a choice to make.
Would I give in to Fear and let it bully and boss me around? Or would I draw on the antidote of the Word of God?
1 Peter 5 verse 8 (NIV). Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Along with venomic suggestions to fear, comes the antidote of perfect love to add to your faith.
Will you choose to use this invitation to indulge in fear or will you choose to add to your faith?
These past few weeks have given me ample opportunities to wield the word of God as weapon to slay Fear.
What is your plan to slay fear?
The Bible is rich with scriptures on how to respond to fear.
Jesus Perfect love cast out fear.
