Fearless

"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

Perfect love casts out fear. Fear is a crippling agent; it prevents growth, movement, freedom. Love is & of God and where God is so is the spirit of liberty, or freedom. So, what do I do when I get nervous and fearful about the next step or chapter in my life? I remind myself that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, LOVE and a sound mind....Love, it always comes back to love. Love is what moves us, is behind most of the decisions that we make, even the excuse we hide behind to justify what we do; but what happens if we let ourselves be exposed to the PERFECT LOVE? Can you imagine how different we would be? If we let ourselves be exposed to the Almighty God in all His greatness, awesomeness, perfectness. I remember when I first came across this verse, I was so shocked how it just spoke to my situation with such a simple answer I wanted to slap my head and say "duh". I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior and because of our relationship, His Perfect Love removes all my fears because He is not the type of God to cripple me and prevent me from moving forward. He's the exact opposite: He is the type of God who by His huge capacity to love a sinner like me, had His Son die for me so that I can move freely in Him. His love allows me to grow, learn, seek and love Him. The loves we experience now: Storge (love between family members), Philia (love between friends), and Eros (love between husband and wife) are just a piece of the love that God has for us. God's unconditional love (Agape) is a love that is so powerful it makes us fearless. We know that once we on on Team Jesus, we can face anything. You can face anything, and do anything through Jesus who gives you strength. Be blessed.

The Power of a Love Letter

I'm an old fashion girl in the sense that if you have something meaningful and/or passionate (not too passionate) to say to me that it should be said in a letter. Don't get me wrong, I want you to say it to my face as well but there is something amazing about making your thoughts and words immortal. Perfect example: I came across a book in Barnes & Noble (during one of my many book runs, I know I need help) called "Love Letters of Great Men" by Ursula Doyle. Not all of them were the most romantic but the fact that they communicated what was on their minds and hearts without fear gets to me. Everytime I watch Persuasion (both versions) I stopped breathing and listen to every word Frederick says to Anne in his letter. For him, that was it. He had to let Anne know everything, it was his last chance. He had no fear.
It brings to mind one of my favorite Bible verses that I always go back to: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18). If Frederick didn't write Anne and let himself dwell on the past and being afraid, we wouldn't have know about their happy ending. If you have God, you have love, and if you have love you can't have fear because God hasn't given us a spirit of fear.
That being said, maybe its time to write a letter. Literally or figuratively. Maybe its time to do something that the Lord has laid on your heart, maybe its time share your testimony with someone who is going through the same thing you have been through. Maybe its time to open your heart to your future helpmate. You never know. If we keep fearing and hiding instead of living and loving the way God has intended for us we will never get anything done. When will you let God write you and love letter or vice versa?