Overcoming Fear...

I know the title is not creative at all and doesn't really capture the imagination. And yet, at the risk of being too transparent, this is where I'm at in the journey. Overcoming fear... It's so easy to lose sight of the fact... no truth... that we are loved by God. When you become a professional Christian (and I was for years) it is is so common to allow as Bill Hybels says, "the work you are doing for God to kill the work of God in you."

Romans 8:15 - "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Fear of what people think...
Fear of not being good enough...
Fear of failing...
Fear of rejection...
Fear of not having the goods...
Fear of being unloved...
Fear of being unaccepted...
Fear of losing my son...

I've received a Spirit of sonship. And nothing I do or don't do can change that. I've worked for God most of my adult life. I've loved him but never fully rested in him and his love for me. Fear is an amazing motivator and driver but it's also a nasty taskmaster. Fear has no place in the Christian experience... except for the fear of God of course. But even in that, his perfect love drives out all fear.

1 John 4:18 - "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."

So I'm beginning to recognize all the ways fear has driven me. And I'm beginning to allow the perfect love of Christ to drive out fear. I can't live there anymore. I won't live there anymore. May you recognize fear when it creeps in. And may you allow the perfect love of Christ to sooth your soul and remind your that you are first a friend... a son... a daughter.

John 15:15 - "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."