There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
–1 John 4:18
A womb is an incredible place for an unborn baby.
It’s dark and warm and awash with soothing sounds. Before babies are even born, they learn that comfort comes from a warm, tight embrace. Out in the real world, a loose blanket, a blaring noise, or a chilly wind causes them to cry out for the safety of loving arms.
We never outgrow that!
God has astronomical arms. If ever there were a safe haven, it is in Him.
He has a grand loving plan. Like any good story, it includes intrigue, adventure, cliff-hanging, pulse racing scenes, but we have to trust that all of it is right, even the scary parts.
We must believe that God is the author of our lives, our Creator and our Physician. He is smarter and more loving than we are. We can trust Him with our diseases, our jobs, our wayward children, and our uncertain tomorrow.
Grasping God’s perfect love for us presses out fear, like the arms of a great, loving father. We are blessed because we can always be in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
Prayer
Merciful God, How You love me! Please fill me with Your presence, casting out every fear and transforming it into love and Your perfect peace. Hold me in Your loving arms and never let me go. In Jesus’ sweet name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
What things do I fear? I will write them down, then give them to God, asking that He cast out my fear and replace it with love.