Looking for some simple Bible devotions? Devotions like this are by everyday Christian writers—real people just like you! They help give us reasons why the Bible is relevant for everyday life, and how we can connect with God each day. 

No Fear In Love?

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.”

Written by Jill Holewski

I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Heart racing, hands shaking, and tears falling. I was drowning in fear with no way of escape. It was exhausting how often this happened. Panic attacks had a habit of sneaking up on me. I just had to hold on a little longer, it’d be over soon. 

I searched for scriptures that would quiet my fears. A stack of index cards containing my favorites had a permanent residence on my nightstand. But there were verses I didn’t like. Verses people would quote, thinking the right one would fix my problems. The one I heard most was, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Through the haze of an anxiety-ridden mind, the truth in this verse was hidden from me. What I heard was shame.

I would reason, “If there’s no fear in love, and I have fear, then I must not have God’s love.” This thinking left me feeling defeated. Not only was I steeped in anxiety, but apparently, I didn’t have God’s love either.

Why It Matters

In time, I learned this verse didn’t bring shame. Misunderstanding it did. The areas of our lives where there is fear, are the places we need to invite God’s love into. This is what makes fear begin to dissipate.

The process of inviting God’s love into fearful places can be practical. From identifying lies we’re believing, to speaking scripture out loud, to reminding ourselves of God’s faithfulness, to at times, inviting the help of a professional therapist or counselor. As we turn our hearts to truth, fear can fall away, and peace settles in. It’s a process. Freedom is achieved one battle at a time, yet God’s love remains steadfast, ready to fill the places we welcome it into.

These simple Bible devotions are a great resource to connect with God every day. We’ve compiled more good Bible verses to reflect on here!