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Love in the Face of Fear by Angela Burchett Some people enjoy being scared. I readily admit I’ve never been one for scary movies or for hearing ghost stories around the campfire. In fact, I still sleep with the light on when I’m home alone! I’m not sure I will ever understand what causes people to enjoy being afraid. Fear is a thief, cunningly initiating relationship based on false realities and suspected possibilities. It siphons out the seeds of truth in our lives and steals our freedom to enjoy life, to love unreservedly, and hope for the future. It thieves capacity and ability in every form of relationship. John talks about understanding love and how it functions in our relationship with God, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:17) Realizing and embracing God’s love is the ultimate annihilation of fear. Living in fear robs us of our ability to live in today and hope for tomorrow. Like the process of rusting, fear disintegrates trust, slowly corroding the belief that God is good, that He knows everything that is happening, and that we are precious to Him. Each day that fear is not kicked out by the knowledge and acceptance of God’s love, it amasses in its ability to bring bondage in our lives. When ruled by fear we become like a cup, empty but unable to be filled no matter how much love is poured into us. If you are living in a place or lifestyle of fear let me encourage you to be aware of what your head and heart believe, not just what you say you believe, but what your actions are in the process of proving you believe. Paul gives relevant and wise psychology to the church in Philippi in regards to guarding your mind, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things." (Philippians 4:8) What we think about who we are and who God is, will actively and significantly shape our perception of, and reaction to, the events of life. Proverbs explains that as a man thinks in his heart, so is He. And that’s true. What we believe about ourselves and others will change us. Fear’s strategy attempts to veil the truth of God’s love for us and keep us from experiencing what God has for us. It lies to us and preoccupies our minds so much with what might be that it quietly chokes the life, and love, out of us. So I urge you not to give in to fear or its arrogant claim to have the authority to speak into your life. Stand firm in truth and keep believing the never-ending matchless love that Christ has for you. His love can and will cast out every last fear. "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." (1 John 4:16)