I started to analyze where most of my fears stem from. Not fear of sickness or death, really, but a fear of not being loved. Of not being accepted. Is it not true that we live our lives manipulating things in order to receive love? Who are friends are, how we act, what we do? The truth is, compared to most places in the world, we live in a relatively safe place. Most of us won't be persecuted for our faith, at least not in fear of death, so why then do we fear stepping out and speaking up? Perhaps a fear of lack of love? Lack of acceptance? We need love to thrive.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. The one who fears in not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19
The only way we are free to love without fear is to first be loved. To be secure in love. To be rooted in love. To be loved by the only source of love. The source that flows freely and abundantly. So abundantly that it overflows our hearts and unto others. To be loved with a love so perfect that even death couldn't stop it, but instead perfected it. And from this perfect love we are freed from fear. From this perfect love we are freed from rejection. Freed from the need to find love and instead free to give love.
And so I plea, not to you, but to myself, to love. To love fully, deeply, and without fear. To love because I have first been loved. To drink deeply from the source, so that I am overflowing with His perfect love. And when I love with His perfect love, others will stop fearing too. In this world we need more love. And I pray that I would root myself in love in order to love others. In order to step out without fear.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
When I live in fear, I live crippled and unable to fully love others. I live to receive love, not to give love. To receive acceptance, instead of giving compassion. Lord, may I drink deeply from your love, and may others feel that love overflowing my heart.
