Not Being Afraid to Fully Trust God

In 1 John 4:16, 18 I read, “We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love . . . because God’s perfect love drives out fear.” (NCV)

There are typically three reasons that people do not fully trust God. They are afraid that if they give their lives fully to God, they’ll lose their freedom, they’ll lose their fun, or God will turn them into some kind of religious fanatic. None of which sounds inviting.

Yet God has an answer for the fear in trusting him. The Bible says, “We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love . . . because God’s perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:16, 18 NCV).

God loves me. I was created as an act of God’s love. Over and over in His Word, God makes this clear. God thought me up and created me to love me and to let me love him.

The greatest expression of God’s love is Jesus. God came to Earth in the form of a human being to show me what he is really like. He then showed me how much he loved me by dying on the cross.

The cross tells me once and for all that I can fully trust God. I can trust him with my life because he gave his Son’s life for me.

If God is telling the truth in his Word that he loves me, I know he won’t take away my freedom, fun or turn me into a fanatic. God isn’t a cosmic killjoy. He’s my heavenly Father.

The more I know God, the more I’ll trust him, and the less I’ll be afraid of him.

In summary, I know that God loves me, and that I can trust in that love. His perfect love drives out fear. There are three common reasons that people do not fully trust God. They are afraid that if they give their lives fully, they’ll lose their freedom, their fun, or will be turned into some kind of religious fanatic. God has an answer for this fear in trusting him. His perfect love drives out fear. God loves me and created me as an act of His love. God thought me up and created me to love me and to let me love him. The greatest expression of God’s love is Jesus. God came in the form of a human being to show me what he is really like. He then showed me how much he loved me by dying on the cross. I can trust him with my life because he gave his Son’s life for me. He loves me, and won’t take away my freedom, fun or turn me into a fanatic. The more I know God, the more I’ll trust him, and the less I’ll be afraid of him.

As I reflect on this, I think my greatest fear is losing control and doing something that I’m not comfortable with. Father your Word tells me over and over again that you love me and have sacrificed your Son for me. I need not be afraid, but rather embrace what you have in mind for me. I ask you today for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I thank you in advance knowing that you will find a new role that is suited to my skill set and helps make a difference in the lives of others. I pray these things in you Son Jesus’ name, amen.