I’ve been thinking about fear lately. What came to mind, initially was the popular phrase love over fear. Then I began to really think about it, cause what does that even mean? Fear is gripping. The fear you experience before a job interview or if you have to speak in front of a crowd. As if that’s not enough, fear goes up a level from there. I’m talking about the kind of fear that seeps deep down into your bones, settles in your soul, and makes you second-guess everything you’ve ever known about yourself, your worth, and God’s plan for your life. The fear that leaves you trapped in a cage of self-doubt, wrapped in the chains of “what ifs” and “maybe I’m not enoughs.”
Fear can show up in so many ways, disguised in a million different forms. But make no mistake about it, it’s all rooted in the same lie. The lie that we aren’t loved enough or even the lie that we can’t trust God’s promises. Maybe it’s our controlling nature that causes us to think we need to control every little thing because if we don’t, chaos will reign. And it’s that very lie that stops us from stepping into the fullness of the life Christ has promised.
You see, fear doesn’t just show up to make you feel anxious. It shows up to steal your peace. It comes in like a thief, trying to rob you of the quiet assurance that God’s love covers you, that you are safe in His embrace, and that your story is written with purpose.
But here’s the thing—we are called to choose. The choice? Love over fear.
Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
1 John 4:18 (NIV) tells us, “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.”
Do you hear that? Perfect love! The only perfect love is God’s love and that has the power to drive fear out. Not just soften it or tame it, but cast it out. Now, that’s a plot twist, isn’t it? Because for so many of us, fear has been our constant companion, hanging around like an unwanted guest. We’ve gotten so comfortable with it, we’ve forgotten that we don’t have to live with it. Perfect love doesn’t just keep fear at bay, unh unh, it makes it go bye-bye.
Think about it like this: when we’re wrapped up in the reality of God’s love, fear becomes a shadow that has no place to hide. It’s a shadow that can no longer loom over us. Instead of living from a place of fear, we start living from a place of love.
God’s love doesn’t speak in fear-filled terms. It doesn’t remind us of our failures, of what we haven’t done yet, or what we might never do. God’s love speaks truth. Hear this Truth LOUD AND CLEAR, m’kay? YOU are already loved, already accepted, and definitely already set apart for His good works. No fear, no “what ifs,” no condemnation.
Living as God’s Chosen Child
Romans 8:15 (NIV) takes it a step further: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
We’ve been given a spirit of sonship, not slavery. Let that sit for a moment. You are not bound to fear anymore, not even for a second. You’ve been adopted into the family of God, and that comes with a new identity. You’re not a slave to fear. You’re a child of the King.
When we live from a place of fear, we’re living as though we haven’t been adopted. We’re living like we don’t belong to a Father who knows every hair on our head, who has plans for us that go beyond our wildest dreams. But when we understand who we are in Christ, fear starts to lose its grip. It has no claim over you because you’re already loved.
We all know how it feels when we’re afraid to step out or afraid to take that leap of faith because we’re unsure if we’re enough. But when we realize that we don’t have to perform for God’s love, we can rest. There is no fear in performance-based living when you know that you’re already chosen.
Living in the Peace of God’s Love
And then there’s Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Don’t be anxious is the call and it is clear as day. But how? How do we stop being anxious when life feels out of control? The answer is in the peace that God’s love brings. We bring everything before God, acknowledging our fears, anxieties, and doubts, but we don’t let them control us. We invite God into those spaces and let His peace guard our hearts and minds.
Now, this isn’t just a call to pray through fear. It’s a call to live in love. The peace of God doesn’t just drop into your heart like a magic spell. It flows through the understanding that God’s love has already given you everything you need. The anxiety you feel is no match for the peace that comes from trusting a Father who already holds your future.
Practical Ways to Choose Love Over Fear in Your Everyday Life
Now that we’ve dug into the Word, it’s time to live it out. How do we practically choose love over fear in our day-to-day lives? Let’s make it real:
Recognize the Fear
The first step is noticing when fear is taking over. It could show up as anxiety, worry, or even procrastination. Once you recognize it, bring it to God. Acknowledge that fear is there, but remind yourself that God’s love is stronger.
Meditate on Scripture
When fear creeps in, counter it with the truth of God’s Word. Romans 8:15 (NIV) reminds you that you’re a child of God, not a slave to fear. 1 John 4:18 tells you that love casts out fear. Write these scriptures down and speak them out loud when you feel anxious.
Pray Boldly
Take your fears to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) encourages us to make our requests known with thanksgiving. This isn’t just asking God for help, this is a declaration of trust that His love will guard your heart and mind.
Speak Life Over Yourself
Negative self-talk is a form of fear. Stop agreeing with lies about your inadequacy. Instead, speak God’s truth over yourself. “I am loved. chosen. I am worthy because of Christ.” This is how you silence fear and embrace love.
Take Action
Faith without works is dead. Choose to act in love. When fear says, “You can’t do it,” love says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Step out in faith, even if it’s a small step, and watch fear crumble under the weight of God’s love.
So, here’s the challenge: Choose love over fear. Choose to live from the identity God has given you, not the one fear is trying to carve out. Fear will keep you in bondage, holding you back from the fullness of your potential. But love? Love will free you. It will lift you out of the shadows and into the light. God’s love will drive out fear EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
The choice is yours. You can stay in the prison of fear, or you can choose the freedom of love.
It’s not a passive choice. It’s an active decision every day to say, “I am loved. I am chosen. I am free.” And the more you say it, the more you’ll live it.
Now that’s a life worth living.
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All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise noted.