God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
I John 4:16-19
I have always marveled at the truth and simplicity of these verses. What great mental health principles! One of the things I often tell my clients is that “It is better to go toward the good than try to avoid the bad!”
I point out how weary and discouraged we can become if we are always trying to escape that thing chasing us. As hard as we run, that bad thing is going to eventually catch us we think. But if we are driven by a positive goal, an aspiration, we can find the energy to keep on.
So it is with love vs. fear. The natural consequence of living in fear is anger. People who live in constant fear end up with resentments and bitterness. Fear often is driven by a perceived loss or potential loss.
The natural consequence of living in love is gratitude. Understanding that God is love frees us to have security in him. It also frees us to love other people, and not to fear them.
Prayer: Lord, help us to lean into love, not fear, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 