What's Fear Got to Do With It?

"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." 1 John 4:18


The first few times I read the above passage from scripture I didn't necessarily agree with it. I thought, "there is always fear." For close to 39 years, I lived in constant fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of disappointing others, fear of trying - just flat out fear.

For knowing something so well, I have struggled all week with finding a way to share how those fears paralyzed me. I've struggled because I don't want my fears to be the focus. Instead, my goal is to encourage any of you who may be living a life rooted in fear that there is hope!

Here is what I know. I spent the majority of my life not saying or doing things for fear that someone wouldn't like it, or worse yet, like me. I wore a mask that could be changed depending on the group or situation I was in. So, in essence, because of fear I really had no idea who I was, what I liked, what I wanted in life because it shifted. Most often it shifted depending on the relationship I was in. I molded myself, my thoughts, my beliefs, even my personal style to fit what someone else defined for me. All of this because of fear. Fear that if anyone knew the "real" me they wouldn't like me. What I didn't realize is that fear cost me authentic friendships and relationships because no one ever knew what to expect from me.
All of my life I was living to please others when there was only one person that I needed to live for - Jesus Christ. He created me in perfect love. He created me to be the person that HE designed, not one fabricated in fear.

When I made the decision to begin a new life as a single mom, I couldn't have any fear. It was not an option. I knew that because of the purest form of love that I had for my children I had to take the step and out of that love I had to push aside any fear. At that point in my life I had to remove every mask and become real. Become authentic. Become the Laura that God created. In doing so, I was able to better love my friends, my family and my God. There was no fear because I knew that a lot of people wouldn't like or agree with my decisions anyway. I chose to live for an audience of One. It has taken a good two years, but out of my love for God and all that He has done in my life, I had to take the step outside of any fear and begin writing. Does that mean that every time I post something I don't feel a wave of fear that someone won't like it? Absolutely not - but because I am writing the words that HE inspires as a love offering to Him and not to seek the approval of others, I can push aside the fear that Satan plants, telling me that I am not worthy, that no one will care, or people will hate it, and replace it with the perfect love that comes from my Savior.
As I continue on this journey, I know that the fears will arise, but I know now that I have a choice. I can choose to live in that fear, or allow God's love to replace it and press on.

Is there a dream that the Lord has placed on your heart that you have not yet begun to explore because you are afraid? He doesn't place them haphazardly or without equipping us for His call. Replace the fear with the perfect love of Christ and go for it!