1 John 4:18, "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 4:9-10, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
If life seems like a seesaw to you right now, you're not alone. We're up one day and down the next. One authority says one thing, a different expert says something else. In our confusion, we're like kids on a seesaw with love and fear. As we lean into God's love, we rise. And, with a view from the top, we have a godly perspective. Even amid problems, mayhem, and the current problems our nation is facing, we can still see. But the moment we take our eyes off of God, feelings, and emotions begin to run the show. Love slopes downward, and fear rises.
In 1 John 4, we see that love starts with God. He showed us His love by sending Jesus to die and rise again so we can LIVE through Him! Rejoice in this truth: God loves you. His love is powerful, sacrificial, sufficient - it's perfect love that drives out fear! Picture a small child on the top of a seesaw with an adult sitting on the other end. Unless the adult moves, the child is stationary at the top. When God is in His rightful place in our lives, we are anchored by His love; fear will not budge us!
Reflect on the past week, has God been your anchor or, have you been on an emotional seesaw? Let the emotional ups and downs come to a halt as God's perfect love drives out every fear!
Reduce your use of technology by 15 minutes today and replace it with time in prayer. Writing your prayers may help you focus, and it can be powerful to look back through your journal over time to see how God has answered prayers and grown you!
Father God, I come before You today with open hands. I am grateful for the life You have made available through Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that my feelings have been all over the place this week, and I lay all of my fears and frustrations before You right now and lean into Your mighty love. In Jesus' name, Amen.