My heart has believed a lie for years. I shouldn’t be surprised because Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful.” But I thought I knew myself; unfortunately, in this area, I was wrong.
For more than 30 years, I was wary of a particular lady. I would avoid seeing her or speaking to her too often. She had caused pain in the past so I saw my avoidance strategy as a wise way of protecting myself.
Then one day, when a mutual friend was talking to her on the phone, to my surprize I said, “Let me say hello!” I enjoyed our short conversation. Later that day, I reflected on that moment and realized that I had been afraid of that lady for much of my life.
MYSTIFIED!
I began to understand a scripture that had mystified me for years: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
I had often wondered why the Bible said that love casts out fear when I thought that fear could only be cast out by strong prayer in the name of Jesus! I also couldn’t understand why being fearful made you less loving. Let me share what God showed me…
Fear of being hurt by another person has self-interest at the center. (I’m not saying that’s always a bad thing but stay with me.) Fear makes you feel like a victim. It makes you protect yourself. It makes you afraid of the pain or problems that another person may bring.
UTTERLY OTHERLY
Love, in stark contrast, is utterly otherly. When fear says, “You could hurt me”, love says, “I could help you.” When fear seeks to guard self, love seeks to do good for someone else.
When fear cowers, love covers. The more I love, the less space I have for fear. Love makes you a victor because love conquers all.
I had not just been ‘wary’ of that lady, I had spent years being afraid of her hurting me. Fear left and an overwhelming love for her filled my heart. I was able to minister to her and bring comfort and strength.
Next time you’re feeling afraid of what someone might do or say, draw near to God. Take your eyes off them and put them on Him. Rebuke fear, then ask the Lord to fill you to overflowing with His love for that person. Perfect (the Greek word means full grown and mature) love truly casts out fear.
Dreamstealers Online has a session dedicated to getting free from fear and intimidation. Get it here or watch yours again. Please share, comment and hit the heart button at the top of this blog if this touched your heart.
Mi corazón creyó esta mentira por tantos años. Esto no me sorprende Jeremías 17:9 dice “el corazón es engañoso.” Pensé que me conocía, pero en esta área estaba equivocada.
Por más de 30 años, estaba preocupada acerca de una señora. Trataba de no hablarle, o la evitaba. Ella me había herido en el pasado y la estrategia de evitarla, lo veía como protección al corazón.
Un día, un amigo en común estaba hablando con ella, para mi sorpresa dije “déjame saludarle” disfrute la conversación. Después de esto, medité en el momento y me di cuenta que por mucho tiempo le temía a esta señora.
DESCONCERTADA
Empecé a entender este versículo que me desconcertaba “En el amor no hay temor, sino que el perfecto amor echa fuera el temor; porque el temor lleva en sí castigo. De donde el que teme, no ha sido perfeccionado en el amor.”1 Juan
Siempre me pregunte como el amor echa afuera el temor, pensaba que el espíritu de temor se sacaba afuera con oración en el nombre de Jesús! Tan poco podía entender que estar temeroso té hacía menos amado. Permíteme compartirte lo que Dios me mostró.
El temor de ser lastimado por otra persona, el enfoque está en el centro. (No estoy diciendo que siempre es algo malo, pero sígueme) el temor te hace sentir como víctima. Tienes temor al dolor o a los problemas que otros pueden traer.
COMPLETAMENTE OTRO
El amor, en contraste, es completamente opuesto. El temor dice “me puede lastimar”, el amor dice, “le puedo ayudar.” Cuando el temor busca guardarte, el amor busca ayudar a alguien más.
Cuando el temor se acobarda, el amor cubre. Entre más amo, menos espacio tengo para el temor. El amor te hace victorioso porque te hace más que vencedor.
No solo estaba preocupada por esa señora, temía que me lastimara. El temor se fue y dejó un un espacio grande para ser lleno por el amor. Le pude ministrar y traer consuélelo a su corazón.
La próxima vez que usted sienta temor por lo que alguien puede hacer o decir, acércate a Dios. Quita tus ojos de ellos y ponlos en el Señor. Reprende el temor, después pídele al Señor que te llene de su amor abundante para con esa persona. Perfecto ( en el griego que significa completo y maduro) amor echa fuera el temor.
“Dreamstealers” curso en línea, tiene una clase en el temor y la intimidación. Obtenlo aquí, o vuelve a verlo. Por favor comparte, comenta y presiona el corazón al principio de este blog si toco tu corazón.
Very encouraging x
I’m glad to hear that Brenda x
Thank you , I am not there yet but your encouraging words will help me on my journey. Rich blessings to you x x x ❤️
It’s definitely a journey – it’s wonderful that you are pursuing yours x
Yes, it’s helping me! I’m acting on what I read. Thanks.
Praise God that you’re a doer of the word! So glad it is helping
I was given 1 John 4:18 last year (a couple of times actually!) I thought I had a reasonable handle on what it meant but reading this, the Holy Spirit has really opened this up to me. Thank you so much Pastor Jo, I pray this is written on my heart/in my mind so when I’m tempted to ‘protect’ (isolate?!) myself, I’ll chose love and be secure in the Father’s love for me and His protection rather than my own efforts. God bless you.
I’m so glad that this spoke to you and I’m praying that the Lord will remind you of this wonderful truth every time you need it.