I am by my nature a very anxious person.  Very anxious.  I worry, a lot.  I worry about everything  I worry about me.  My church.  My family.  My children.  Everything.  I sometimes in my mind invent things to worry about, or at least I feel like I do.

I’ve talked to other preaches about this, I’ve talked to councilors about this, I’ve probably worried my poor wife half to death talking about it.

I’m a very anxious person.  And I worry, a lot.

That’s why today’s passage is one that I cling to when I feel most anxious.  Listen to what we are told in 1 John 4: 18-19:

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

For so many of us, fear is a driving force of worry and anxiety.  Fear of illness. Fear of mistakes.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear for ourselves, fear for those that we love.  Fear can be a driving force for so much anxiety and worry.  I know that it can be for me, and I’m assuming I am not alone in this.

So, hear the word of the Lord.  Perfect love casts out fear.  Fear deals with punishment.  And Jesus Christ was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our sin. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds, we are healed.

You are loved today, by an amazing God.  Do not fear today. God is not out to get you.  God is not a cosmic scorekeeper, keeping a record of sins so that He can get us when we mess up.  He is not a cosmic chess player, playing our lives for His amusement.

Do not the mistake the God of the Bible Greek mythology, where the gods provoked and toyed with humans for their own amusement.

The God of the Bible loves you.  Cares for you. Gave Himself for you.

So, as an anxious person and a worrier, I know it’s not this easy.  Don’t worry today. God loves you.  Talk to someone. Exercise. Pray.  Center yourself on God’s word. Don’t believe the lies of fear, believe the word of God’s truth.

And know that God is not out to get you.  He’s really not.  He loves you. And perfect love drives out fear,

If you’d like to be added to my devotional list, click here to sign up. You also can read these thoughts on St. Matthew’s mobile app. Click here to download!

I am by my nature a very anxious person.  Very anxious.  I worry, a lot.  I worry about everything  I worry about me.  My church.  My family.  My children.  Everything.  I sometimes in my mind invent things to worry about, or at least I feel like I do.

I’ve talked to other preaches about this, I’ve talked to councilors about this, I’ve probably worried my poor wife half to death talking about it.

I’m a very anxious person.  And I worry, a lot.

That’s why today’s passage is one that I cling to when I feel most anxious.  Listen to what we are told in 1 John 4: 18-19:

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

For so many of us, fear is a driving force of worry and anxiety.  Fear of illness. Fear of mistakes.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear for ourselves, fear for those that we love.  Fear can be a driving force for so much anxiety and worry.  I know that it can be for me, and I’m assuming I am not alone in this.

So, hear the word of the Lord.  Perfect love casts out fear.  Fear deals with punishment.  And Jesus Christ was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our sin. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds, we are healed.

You are loved today, by an amazing God.  Do not fear today. God is not out to get you.  God is not a cosmic scorekeeper, keeping a record of sins so that He can get us when we mess up.  He is not a cosmic chess player, playing our lives for His amusement.

Do not the mistake the God of the Bible Greek mythology, where the gods provoked and toyed with humans for their own amusement.

The God of the Bible loves you.  Cares for you. Gave Himself for you.

So, as an anxious person and a worrier, I know it’s not this easy.  Don’t worry today. God loves you.  Talk to someone. Exercise. Pray.  Center yourself on God’s word. Don’t believe the lies of fear, believe the word of God’s truth.

And know that God is not out to get you.  He’s really not.  He loves you. And perfect love drives out fear,

If you’d like to be added to my devotional list, click here to sign up. You also can read these thoughts on St. Matthew’s mobile app. Click here to download!