Submerge

Photographs by Garrett Randolph

“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

Jesus is very clear about who He is and who He is not in Scripture. Therefore, as children of God, when we experience things like anxiety, fear, or shame, we immediately know from His Word that we are being influenced by things outside of His heart and will for us. So how do we overcome fear? How can we be fearless in a world driven by fear? Were we really meant to live courageous lifestyles as followers of Jesus? ABSOLUTELY!

If you have experienced fear or anxiety to any extent, you know that it is paralyzing. Fear will always try to make you idle, immobilizing you from moving forward with what God has spoken to you or over your life. As an occupational therapist, I have seen first hand both in my patients and in my own life, how pain and fear can cause us to guard the parts of us that actually need to move to get better. Anxiety and fear causes us to want to “stay in bed” with stiff muscles and joints, instead of breathing to allow oxygen to release tension and moving to allow blood flow, stretching, and strengthening to our body. Stiffness does not develop strength, it only leads to weakness and injury. BUT GOD CAME TO BREAK THE PARALYSIS OF FEAR!

We were created to be completely immersed in God’s Presence. This means we were made to operate under the authority of His unfailing Love for us and in us. When we experience fear, there is an area in our body, heart, mind, or spirit that has not been completely submerged in the reality of His Love. It reveals an area within us that is void and in need of a Love invasion—a filling of His Presence. His Love will actually drive out all fear (1 John 4:18).

There are a number of accounts in Scripture where God is encouraging someone to overcome their own fear and move forward with what they have been called to do and be. In those times, He tells them to not be afraid, but have courage… on what basis? That He is with them. When we meditate on God being with us, we do not operate based off confidence in ourselves but out of confidence in Him! We are filled with courage because of His unconditional Love that has authority over the fear that paralyzes us.

The Father is teaching us how to combat fear by resting in His Love and standing in His truth that He goes with us. When we meditate on His Love for us as the most real thing to ever exist, fear actually becomes the thing that is irrational! If you have a God that has redeemed your life, will never leave you, has all power, and will always work for your good when you obey Him, what is there to fear? Love never fails! (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Today is the day to completely submerge your heart and mind in God’s perfect Love for you. Meditate on Jesus Christ and His demonstration of Love. He has freed you to live the courageous life of a child of God. Jump in the sea of His Love and do not look back. We find out what we were created for when we allow His Love to wash over all parts of who we are… even the parts we thought would never move again.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

-Isaiah 41:10