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
So often it feels like my body, my mind and my life are in Fear’s domain.
Domain – land to which there is superior title and absolute ownership.
photo credit: neilalderney123 via photopin cc
Yep, that sounds about right.
When I lie awake fearing what the news from my doctors will be in the coming day and weeks, I am giving Fear the superior title in my land.
When I let fears and worry drown out the truths I know, allowing them to change the way I act and react toward others, I am giving absolute ownership to Fear.
The devil makes it so easy to remain in Fear’s Domain. He twists my thoughts so much, gets my fears so ramped up, invades my rest times to such a degree that I am prone to snap at anyone who tries to remind me whose domain it really is.
You see, Fear is sneaky. Fear is a coward. Fear is a liar.
Fear has not the power of superior title or absolute ownership. Fear has only the power we give it.
Christ’s death stripped Fear of any true power it ever had in the lives of His people.
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. – Hebrews 2:14-15
The truth is that if we want to defeat Fear, we have only to accept the Spirit that has been given to us already. Let it reign.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7
My problem is keeping in mind who truly has perfect Domain… so perfect, complete and absolute that it is called Dominion. Dominion even over Fear.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. – 1 Timothy 6:13-16
Amen.
Lord Jesus, May You always reign, in my life as in all other things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
Fear and worry are difficult foes and hard to escape from. I recite 2 Timothy 1:7 out loud (which you have in your post) when fear grips me. Fear is not from God, it’s from the enemy. We know that but we are human and our flesh is weak. Sometimes the truth gets overridden by the lie. It’s a constant challenge to stay in His domain!
Laura+Connell recently posted…Breaking up with Facebook {Linkup)
They are difficult foes, Laura! I’m constantly battling them, usually at the same time. They like to pal around together. 🙂 Thank God He fights the battles for me and gives me His word to sustain me. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
I came here from the #EverydayJesus link-up.
I am desiring to rid my life of fear this year. Thank you for your post and for all the scripture it includes.
Elizabeth recently posted…The Beauty of Breaking Through
It’s such a difficult journey, isn’t it, Elizabeth? I’ll pray for you, and I hope you’ll pray for me. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thank you for your kind comment. It can be difficult and it is something that I’ve wrestled with for most of my life. Yes, I will pray for you, too!
Elizabeth recently posted…The Beauty of Breaking Through
Shelly- I have had years of loving in fear of an angry husband and I learnt something really sad after it all came to an eruption when the police removed him. I learnt that just as perfect love expels all fear, love cannot remain in the presence of fear. In my case, fear cast out love.These battles are very real and it took lots of prayer and counselling before I was able to let down my fear and receive God’s love. He told me I had to admit my true feelings- to own up to them before He could bring me to a place of joy.
Please be gentle with yourself. A friend battling cancer once said to me- I have no energy to fight- I need others to fight for me. I am glad you have people who will hold your arms up when the battle is fierce, as Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold his arms up.
Your battles are real, but one thing I know is that even when it is my turn to die, I don’t believe I will have any fear because I just so yearn to be in the presence of my Saviour, and for this long hard life to finally be done. I agree with Paul when he said he yearned to go to be with the Lord, but also knew he had a job to do hear first, so I ask not to be taken before I have completed everything on my job-sheet [bluepint].
I think that is the point at which perfect love will cast out all fear once and for all.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing a personal experience on your blog?
Prayers, love and heart HUGS,
Mary
I’m so glad you knew you could share here, Mary. I want this blog to be a space for all of us! You gained much wisdom and insight in your years of experience. Thank you for sharing that with us! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
You are so very right, sweet Shelly! Fear is a sneaky, evil, liar. Don’t believe it– because God’s perfect love DOES cast out fear!!
PS: “No fear in love” was our wedding theme 🙂
PSS: Thanks for linking up with #EverydayJesus. Love you.
Sharita recently posted…21 Truths: God Gives Joy (#EverydayJesus)
Sharita, what a COOL wedding theme! I love that! And I love you, too! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3