Hi, I’m Pastor Nathan Stearman and this is 30 Days of Pushing Back Fear. Fear is a thing we face regularly. In fact, in the United States, some 40 million of us are affected by anxiety—the most common mental illness. I don’t know about you, but a pandemic has a way of stirring up our fears—perhaps our very worst fears. ‘Course, it doesn’t take a pandemic to spin us up into full-blown terror. Could be a knock at the door. A noise outside the window. A social media post. A shadow. An email. A text. A person. The news. Next thing we know—sleepless nights. Ulcers. Anxiety attacks. Cold sweats. Clamping chest. Racing heart. I’m guessing that this next month could be life-changing, as I push back against fear every day for the next 30.
Here’s today’s verse:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear . . . 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
John the Beloved. 1 John 4:18 & 19. Love in. Fear out. It’s really that simple. Like pouring water into a glass of oil will eventually displace the oil, so soaking our hearts in the lavish wonder of divine love will ultimately dispel our darkest fears. I’ve experienced it personally—the power of love to displace fear. In a close personal relationship. The more love grew in that relationship, the more fear receded and love dominated, until love was nearly all that was left. I dunno what you’re up against—but love is enough. God’s love, is enough. Give God a chance, if you haven’t already—and hand fear the eviction notice.
