Bountiful Health & Wellness

Perfect love casts out fear. Sometimes we have to be reminded of just how much God loves us. 

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“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.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John 3:16-17, says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.” John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Take control of that fear that’s trying to control you today. Sometimes you have to have to meditate on just how much God loves you. In times of doubt, uncertainty, anxiety, whatever the feeling, repeat to yourself (as many times as you need to), “Father God, I thank You that You love me!”

If we allow the condemnation of the devil to remain in our thoughts, we will believe the lie and distance ourselves from God for fear that God is mad at us and therefore is or will punish us. The devil is banking on us not grasping that all we have to do is repent/ask for forgiveness but also truly turn from those ways and live for God. 

Proverbs 24:16 (TPT) says “For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again. But the unrighteous are brought down by just one calamity and will never be able to rise again.”

This verse says that “the just” will fall but they rise back up again. God knows we’re not perfect and He’s not asking us to be. But He does want us to walk in righteousness and holiness, as we follow after Him. 

If you are feeling fearful today, condemned, frustrated, anxious, whatever…know that God is with you and right there waiting for you to accept His love. As the scripture says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. 

So, we still have to believe to receive. It’s not automatic. If someone offers a free gift to you, you don’t necessarily have to accept it just because they offer it. We always have a choice. God is offering us so much today (and every day) but we have to accept His offer, as we relinquish the other thing that we’re holding onto. Replace fear, anxiety, stress, fear of the unknown, etc., with the TRUTH that He loves you and would not cause any harm to come to you (Luke 10:19, Isaiah 54:17), and see how much joy, peace, assurance overflows your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6). Whose report will you believe?? Trust Him today and KNOW that He loves you. 

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.” Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [John 14:27]” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬