‘Perfect love casts out fear.’ 1 John 4:18 NKJV
When God says, ‘Fear not,’ He is basically telling you, ‘You’re going to have to deal with fear, but you can conquer it. You can act in spite of it.’ The Bible says, ‘Perfect love casts out fear.’ Sometimes we mistakenly think that Scripture means if we love God perfectly enough, we won’t be afraid. No, the only perfect love is God’s love for you. And it’s unconditional.
Knowing that He always loves you, walks with you, defends you, supports you, and has promised to bless you in all that you do is what casts out your fear. And it does one more thing: it strengthens your faith. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please [God]’ (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). When you know that God is pleased with you, you begin to rise above your fears. When fear knocks on your door and finds you full of faith, it cannot enter. That’s why you need to meditate continually on God’s Word and let your conversation be filled with faith.
If you’re used to allowing your mind to go everywhere it pleases, meditating on God’s Word will require making a new habit. Don’t become discouraged if you discover you have good intentions but many failures. The Bible says, ‘We walk by faith’ (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). How did you learn to walk? By getting up one more time than you fell down, until you finally did it. When you set your mind to speaking fear-defying words of faith, the Holy Spirit will come to your aid and strengthen you. As one minister says, ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, it is progress in its presence.’ So just keep progressing, and you will get there!
The phrase “Refuse to live in fear, fear not” emphasizes the importance of not allowing fear to dictate our lives. It encourages us to confront our fears and choose not to be controlled by them. Instead of succumbing to fear, we should approach life with courage and determination.
The statement “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is progress in its presence” highlights that bravery does not mean being completely fearless. True courage lies in taking steps forward and making progress despite the presence of fear. It acknowledges that fear may still exist, but it should not hinder us from moving forward.
The expression “So just keep progressing, and you will get there” motivates us to persevere and continue making progress towards our goals. It suggests that as we push through our fears and keep moving forward, we will eventually reach our desired destination or achieve our objectives.
The reference to Hebrews 11:6 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible adds a spiritual dimension to the message. Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” This verse underscores the importance of faith in God and the belief that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. It implies that having faith and seeking God can help us overcome fear and find courage.
The mention of 2 Corinthians 5:7 in the New King James Version (NKJV) states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This verse emphasizes the significance of relying on faith rather than solely relying on what we can see or perceive with our senses. It suggests that our trust in God and His guidance should outweigh our fears and uncertainties, enabling us to progress with courage.
Overall, the message encourages us to reject fear, embrace courage, and continue making progress towards our goals, drawing strength from our faith and trust in God’s guidance.
