Love and Fear
by Lynda Scott
Fear is certainly a part of being human. We all experience it in different circumstances and at different times in our lives. I don't claim to be an expert on fear. But I, like you, have had my fair share of fear. However, the determination in my heart has always been to not to let negative fear rule my life.
Fear is not actually all bad. We are exhorted by Solomon in the book of Proverbs to fear the Lord. This is positive fear. Solomon says ‘Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones’ (Proverbs 3:8). That is indeed a good scripture to meditate on.
I have often read the verse in 1 John 4:18 that says that perfect love drives out all fear. But I was struck this week by a line in this beautiful verse, which is part of today's scripture – ‘With his love, he will calm all your fears’. I really felt that what Zephaniah says is complementing what the verse in 1 John is saying. There is definitely a link between love and fear. It is knowing to the deepest core of our being the love of our Heavenly Father that we can find an antidote for fear. His purposes and plans for us are always for good and His affections beyond measure.
If you are experiencing fear today, I pray that you might be deeply impacted by this verse. Your Heavenly Father knows all your fears. Even knowing that might be a comfort for you today. But, in the midst of all the challenges that you are currently facing, your Heavenly Father wants you to know that it is in His love that your fears will be calmed. Put your future in His hands. May you know that He is delighting in you with gladness and rejoicing over you with joyful songs!
Prayer: Dear Father God, indeed You know me and all my fears. I know that to fear You in a respectful and godly way is the beginning of wisdom. Please help me to respect You in this way and have godly fear. Lord take the ungodly fear in my life and in Your love calm all my fears. Help me to know that Your purposes for me are good and that You care for me so deeply. I put my future in Your hands. I am so glad to be Your child. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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