There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)
As I shared my fears over our household’s financial woes, God led me to other Christian friends who had suffered through businesses that failed and financial struggles. They were still standing, still trusting in Jesus, and still hopeful. They had made it through the muddy waters. If this is what you have for us, then give me the strength to deal with it, I prayed as I went on my daily walks.
Trying to capture my muddled thoughts, I spent time pouring out my uncertainties in the form of letters to Jesus. What if this financial crisis is going to be a reality for the rest of my life? Hopelessness kicked in.
I fought despair by memorizing verses that spoke of hope and the provision of God. I had never been in such a deprivation of funds in all my life. I knew that with one sweep of His hand, Jesus could alleviate all of our debt, get us great-paying jobs, and even toss in a cruise to the Bahamas. But that’s not how it worked out.
Over the months, I changed my focus from the pit of fear to the love of Jesus. If I truly believe that You love me, I wrote in one of my letters, can I learn better how to live each day? Can I bask in Your love, taking time to see how far it stretches, how constant it is? Pour that kind of pure love for others over me today.
Faith Step: Write a letter to Jesus, naming any fears you have. Ask Him to deepen your love for Him and to cast out those fears with His perfect love.
