“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
Do you know real love, or do you let fear take you captive?
Psychologists say that the bases of all of our emotions come from either fear or love. We either do something out of love or we don’t do something out of fear. That means every feeling we have is rooted in either or. The battle against fear is raging war— it is in me. But when we find our greatest weapon fear becomes non-existent.
Love can take over fear. Listen to this; once you realize how dearly loved you actually are you can garner the strength to fight fear. Love is a living word we are to become. Once you realize how deeply loved you are, you can live loved. With love, you can discover the courage to move out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams. Don’t be afraid to do that. God does not want us to fear. He has so much in store for us. He has “a plan to give you hope and a future.”(Jeremiah 29:11)
That’s what this is about. I’m going to take you on a journey, a short journey, but a journey nonetheless. It might feel like a roller coaster and you might feel convicted. I want you to feel convicted and I want this to make you think about your own habits, how you treat people and how you treat yourself.
You should leave this wondering if you lived the truth to ones you loved or to the people you encounter daily. I want you to wonder if your life has been a reflection of Jesus. Do people look at you and by seeing how you act or how you talk, are they seeing and hearing Jesus? Do you encourage and motivate others? Are you helping to guide others in the right direction or are you giving them an opinion or advice that will get them to make the wrong choices or feel bad in certain situations?
Seek & Find
One thing that can help you along the way, here, is a focus. There are so many things in this life that you cannot control but your focus is the number one thing you can control. Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given (see Deuteronomy 4:29). Focus on what is important like God and His word and by surrounding yourself with the right people. The only way you’re going to have the right people in your life is if you’re the right person in you’re heart. Change your focus, change your heart. Be earnest in the faith and give all glory to God. But don’t forget change does not happen on its own. You need Jesus for that.
Jesus was and is a special kind of person. Living like Him means so many things. Love God, others, and love yourself. Live loved because if you don’t believe it won’t show. Live like Jesus. Jesus was and is the most influential person to have ever walked this earth. He taught us how to pray and to treat people with mercy and kindness. Jesus taught that anything we need we can ask God for and He will answer. Jesus taught us to be patient, joyful and to forgive. He taught us to love; above all else.
So, pack up your hiking gear. It’s time to start our journey