Love or Fear by Mayada Naami

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1John 4:18, NIV).

There are only two primary emotions, fear, and love. All the other feelings we express are nothing more than derivatives of these two basic emotions. Fear and love are opposites. It is impossible for love and fear to harmoniously co-exist. All things positive stem from love, and all negative things, such as anger, hate, anxiety, and guilt or shame, stem from fearful thoughts. Our thoughts determine whether we choose to love or fear. God gave us free will and the Bible tells us to take captive every thought to demolish arguments and every pretension or falsehood that sets itself up against the knowledge or truth of God. God is Love, so anything opposite of God is fear, also known as the enemy.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

God’s Spirit is not “a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Love and self-control are two fruits of the Holy Spirit. When we live by the Spirit, we have the power to respond in love of our own free will. We can control our reactions and choose to love our neighbor, or we can respond in a negative way which manifests fear-based emotions.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV).

Fear is something we face every day. If we let it overwhelm us, it can steal our joy, peace, and serenity. What can we do when faced with valid fears, like sickness or financial worries? We can turn to Scripture to be reminded of God’s love. Ask Him to calm your thoughts and open your heart to peace, comfort, and wisdom. Trust that He will protect you and keep His promise to strengthen you in your time of weakness.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

We live in a crazy, chaotic world that sometimes makes our anxieties soar. God wants each of us to have a power-filled faith that allows us to stand up against the enemy in a world filled with fear. The Word of God will always comfort you in times when you feel afraid or overwhelmed.

Choose love, not fear!