No Fear

I John 4:19a ESV

2 Timothy I:7 NKJV

The thing about getting older is that you have the benefit of experience to fall back on. I’ve been a part of staff in churches for 35 years. I’ve been a Mom for 47 years.

I raised three boys. When it comes to fear that says a LOT.

I have two granddaughters and six grandsons.

I have been a praying person for most of my life. I’ve served with some of the best

pray-ers on the planet. They taught me about intercession and sitting with God for as long as it takes to really really connect. I learned that the problem is not about God connecting with me. God is always right there. The problem is that sometimes I am unable to let go to connect with God.

That’s because of because my fear.

I am afraid to face the truth.

I John 4:19a tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

God is love. Pure love.

Fear does not come from God.

During my twenties I learned a scripture chorus that says “God has not given us a Spirit of fear. God has not given us a Spirit of fear. God has NOT given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”

The basis for that chorus comes from 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Fear never comes from God. Holy respect comes from God but not fear.

Another way of looking at it is that fear is a dark side emotion that was created by this world. Satan loves making us afraid. I went through a rough patch when I struggled with how to deal with my dark side fear and a very wise believer advised me to ignore it. She said Instead of giving it space in my head I need to turn to God and let God fill me with love.

She advised that by letting God continuously fill me with love, there simply won’t be room left for fear.

I started fighting back by singing hymns to God. I would pray out-loud to God when I was at home. That’s really when I became a prayer warrior. My children were small and when I prayed they knew I was praying.

Because my dad was a praying person, I would often ask him to pray for me.

I know before my dad passed over he prayed mighty pray-ers for his family.

My children knew I took prayer very seriously.

I remember one time when I was in a room praying quietly, I could hear the boys sitting outside in the hall whispering to their little brother to be quiet BECAUSE MOM IS PRAYING.

The last part of their sentence was a very loud whisper.

I smiled.

I knew having my children know I am a serious pray-er was a very good thing.

Do you know what has happened as a result of my dad’s prayers?

I took prayer very seriously.

Do you know what happened because I took prayer seriously?

My children took it seriously and children are praying people.

Two of my sons are (or were) career military. They pray for their comrades. When they deployed they prayed privately for the people they served with. I prayed for them privately.

My other two children work in the business world and the pray for their people as well.

Do you know what else happened?

My grandchildren are praying people.

Right now it may be a quick ‘help me God to remember what I studied’ when they are taking a college exam, but those prayers are ever so precious to God.

My youngest grandson is a man of action and his prayers are very action oriented. God loves that!

I know God loves that because God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind!

I know that perfect love casts out fear.

Spending time loving God casts out fear.

The woman who advised me to focus on God’s love was oh so right. When I learned to stop focusing on my fear and put my focus on God’s mighty love, it was a game-changer!

Love God.

Just love God.

Spend time sitting with God and the fear will disappear.

Spiritual Practice: Sit with God

Love God and receive love in return.

In God, Deborah

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