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. I John 4:18
I recently spoke with a client about his motivations as he digs deep into himself to determine the things that drive him. I suggested, by the things I heard from him, that fear is a strong driver for him. He identified some family of origin issues as having an outsized affect on his relationship with his wife. He now sees that fear is at the root of some of those marriage issues.
It got me thinking about the verse from John- “Perfect love casts out fear”. I am reminded that if we are not motivated primarily by love, we will likely be driven by fear. Fears of all sorts can play in our head. I also know that as humans, fear is a primary emotion- one we do not like to acknowledge, but it is ever present.
John’s quote is both prophetic as well as a great mental health principle. “Perfect love casts out fear.” If we are more reliant on love as the basis of our standing with God and others, we are less likely to be fearful of losing those relationships.
So, perfect love casts out fear. Tomorrow I will look at what is “perfect love.”
Prayer: Lord, your love is perfect, but ours…is not, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 