fear

Fear and Love

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , ,

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (English Standard Version)

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We ourselves are eye-witnesses able and willing to testify to the fact that the Father did send the Son to save the world. Everyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God lives in him, and he lives in God. So we have come to know and trust the love God has for us. God is love, and the man whose life is lived in love does, in fact, live in God, and God does, in fact, live in him. So our love for him grows more and more, filling us with complete confidence for the day when he shall judge all men—for we realize that our life in this world is actually his life lived in us. Love contains no fear—indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected. 1 John 4:16b-18 (J.P. Phillips NT)

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If we really love God, we will not be afraid of him. We cannot love him completely and also be afraid. We would only be afraid of God if we thought that he would punish us. So, if someone is afraid that God will punish them, it shows that they do not completely know God’s love. 1 John 4:18 (Easy English Bible)

Knowing Jesus means more love and confidence, less and less fear.

I borrowed this line from the J.B. Phillips New Testament. It is brief, but to the point. When God’s love lives in you through the presence of Papa God, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit, fear is displaced. You do not deny your fear. Instead, your trust is in God’s love which assures you that HE will lead you.

Life is a training process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. One of the attributes of God we learn is love. We learn love by practicing ways to express HIS love with others. We may begin slowly and awkwardly. But we learn. As we extend our hand to help someone, love’s seeds are cast. If we are rejected, God’s grace covers us through the pain. The more we practice ways to love others, the better we grow.

You may have to walk through the fear. You may turn and run away from it. You may laugh at it. Whatever God inspires you to do, you have learned to faithfully trust HIM.

If unsure where to begin, we start with Jesus. We find ways to love HIM. Initially, we discover all the ways HE shows his love to us. Then we seek out ways to express our love to HIM.

From there, we begin to practice with those closes to us, our family. As our ability to find ways to sacrifice and support them grows, we keep expanding our reach. We have friends, business associates, and neighbors to add unto our list. And the list never ends.

As we meet strangers in the grocery store or mall, we find ways to show love to them. It may be as simple as a smile or opening a door.

Small steps. Easy gestures. Simple words. It doesn’t have to be a big moment. Just expressing small tidbits of ways to let others know you care for them. That they are appreciated.

If you are a person who is dealing with fear in your life, make Love your pathway through it. It begins by developing a deeper relationship with Jesus. Then allowing Jesus’s love be expressed through you. So let HIM be the center of your exodus. HE will lead you through your fears. In the process, your love tank will grow and dump the fears away.    

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Courage

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!   Psalm 31:24

Someone once asked Charlie Kirk what is the most important value quality to live by. His reply – courage.

He would then explain that without courage, one is paralyzed. Instead of acting in the moment, one freezes. Instead of moving forward as a person, one continues down the path toward immaturity.

With courage, one defeats fear with action. With courage, one precedes to love their enemy rather than fall victim to their abuse. With courage, one faces truth with the willingness to bend. Courage is the backbone that allows all other virtues to shine.

As Christ-followers, we have God’s assurance that HE is always with us (Mt. 28:20). As we lean on the Holy Spirit, we learn to trust HIS counsel. We learn to follow HIS lead. We learn to deny ourself and allow HIS presence be magnified through us.

We learn by living on the foundation of truth. When corrected, we have the courage to change our convictions. We are open to acknowledge we don’t have the answer at times. But we do know who does. HIS name is Jesus. Our courage is built on HIM. HIS faith lives in us and gives us the strength we need in the appropriate time.

Do not fear is a line that God’s messengers kept reminding others when dealing with a difficult situation. Jesus himself stated the same when dealing with truth matters. Instead of being captured by fear’s emotional jailhouse, we need to exercise courage. As children of God, we have the faith of Jesus to help us breakthrough.

Sometimes we just need someone to remind us to take courage into the arena of life. Consider this your reminder.      

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Afraid – Now What?

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Hebrews 13:6

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Luke 12:32

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:4

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.

Mark 5:36

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

We are all afraid at one time or another. But it’s how we respond thereafter that counts.

If we allow fear to possess us, we become frozen and unable to effectively respond to the situation. Yet when we use fear as the trigger point to take appropriate action and proactively manage the situation, fear dissipates into oblivion.

God gave us emotions to experience the good HE created. When we find ourselves in a pleasant situation, we may experience happiness and contentment. And when we likewise find ourselves in an unpleasant moment, our negative emotions capture the situation waiting for a response.

Fear is one of those emotions that alert us to potential harm. How we react though is a matter of experience, character, and maturity.

Fear is good. Why? Because it alerts us to potential problems. Fear is also bad. Why? Because we may not favorably respond to the situation which may lead to more future pain and sorrow.

When we realize most fear is based on our imagination or previous negative experiences with similar situations, we can take steps now to prepare ourselves for such a moment.

How? By equipping yourself with a belief system built on an eternal foundation proven over time by many individuals facing similar trials and tests in life. 

Scripture reminds us of the power of belief in Christ and the ramifications of such faith. As we walk with our Lord through the ups and downs of life, we develop the experience of trusting HIM to help us in our ordeals. As we pray and live in HIS presence knowing our purpose in HIS macro plan for mankind that includes you and me, we know our future is secure.

Though we may suffer pain or the inconvenience of the situation, we have seen over time the character HE has produced in us to master the situation.

Through the years of walking with HIM and catching HIS teachings through many different events and situations, one gains maturity and becomes more equip with the character and knowledge built upon previous experiences to trust God in all circumstances.

Yes, we may see fear pounce at us in unexpected moment. But now realize fear means I need to respond trusting God to show me how best to get out of the situation. Through the process, we learn how our belief and trust in the Almighty converts our fear into the trigger point of action which builds more character in us and glorifies HIM at the end. In other words, fear is another means to grow in experience, character, and maturity within Christ.   

Afraid – turn to God Almighty and begin the process of sanctification where you will experience the love, joy, and peace which abides with HIM.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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