A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
In love there is no fear, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The only one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Love That Overcomes Fear
When my wife Claudia was a child, she was attacked and bitten by a dog. It was because of this that she had to struggle for years against a spirit of fear. However, later on in her life, God used our daughters to help her to receive healing. On one of her birthdays, our daughter Sara asked us for a dog as a gift. Although at first we didn’t accept the idea, they persuaded Claudia. A week later, our daughter Manuela, asked for another puppy so they could have a pair. We saw then that this was what God used to bring inner-healing to my wife from that past negative experience. Claudia named one dog, “Healing” and the other dog, “Joy.”
At some point or other, we all have to face fear. Fear’s main goal is to get us out of God’s perfect purpose for our lives. The only way to defeat fear is through faith. Both fear and faith look for followers. Both belong to the spiritual world, even though they are absolutely opposed. Faith comes from God; fear comes from the enemy. Faith leads us to success; fear leads to failure. Faith produces a positive mood; fear creates a negative attitude. Faith makes us overcomers; fear leads to defeat. Faith brings joy; fear brings sadness. Faith produces fellowship with God; fear sinks us in solitude.
Never allow fear to keep you out of God’s purpose, and never accept living life under its dark influence. Do not justify its presence because your family has always lived under some kind of fear. The best way to overcome fear is to face it with faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thomas Carlyle said, “The acts of a man are subservient until he puts fear beneath his feet.
Something to Think About
“One summer, when my husband and I went on vacation, I told him that I wanted to conquer one of my fears. I realized how important it is to face your fears head on. I had a fear that made me feel quite uncomfortable. Every time we went to an amusement park, with roller coasters, I would tell my family that I would hold the bags and food and wait for them, while they rode it. Because one of the things I feared the most was large roller coasters. But now I was determined to conquer it!
I told my husband to take me to an amusement park. He was so surprised. He asked me, “Why?” I told him, “I want to face my fear; and today is the day!” He looked at me and started laughing. Instead of getting discourage, I became motivated. I was 56 years old, I stood in line with all the little children who looked at me like I was not supposed to be there because I was too old. But I was determined to conquer that fear. My husband went with me; we waited in line together. Then, we got on the ride, we put on the security belts and the little car began climbing up the hill. My heart was racing inside of me. As the small car slowly climbed the tracks, the Lord began to speak to me. He said, “Carolyn, you’ve driven cars faster than this roller coaster. You’ve lived on mountains that are much higher than this little ride. There is nothing to be afraid of.” We reached the top, there was a brief pause and the fast ride began. My heart didn’t drop. Fear was gone! I heard someone screaming at the top of their lungs; but it wasn’t me! It was my husband.
How could I have waited so many years to face it? Fear had lived with me for a long time. It became my partner but I knew it was time to conquer it. Fear torments, punishes, and dominates us so that we cannot move forward. It sounds like a tape playing over and over again in your mind. It is like an evil preacher and it resounds in your mind like it is your own voice. Sometimes we cannot tell one from the other. Thank God for Jesus Christ who freed us from all fear.” (Lady Carolyn Johnson).
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for filling me with Your love and for helping me to be free from all fear. I recognize that every day that I walk with You, Your love takes a hold of me. I know that if a single moment in Your presence brings joy, walking with You gives me the fullness of joy. I praise You Lord, and I thank You for filling all of the gaps in my heart, Amen.
Declaration
I live because God chose to trust my heart as His dwelling place.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Ezekiel 45-47; Job 16
- New Testament: John 12:1-11; 1 John 4:7-21
