“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”
1 John 4:17-18 MSG
https://www.bible.com/97/1jn.4.17-18.msg
Heart racing, hands sweaty, unable to speak, or scream, feeling immobilized from fear is a terrible feeling. I chose a career in the financial industry that is known for robberies that causes anxiety and fear. It doesn’t happen very often, but in my forty-three years of banking five robberies are a lot to endure.
It was January 16, 1992, just a normal day at work. I was unloading supplies and was putting them away. Finally finished, I gathered the empty boxes and headed for the back entrance to the dumpster. As I approached the door, I stopped in my tracks. I felt a presence on the other side of the door. At that moment, the door swung open to an image of a sawed-off shotgun in my face. The person was completely covered, from head to toe, in black clothing. I could only see blue eyes looking at me. ”This is it, lady, ” he announced, as I turned around to march back into the lobby. I felt a peace come over me that only God could give. Upon reaching the lobby, he banished his weapon and said, ”THIS IS A ROBBERY, GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY.” He immediately handed me a plastic bag and instructed me to get the money from each one of my tellers. As I walked to the teller line, he was right behind me with the shotgun pointed to my head. God had removed all my fears. I could feel his shield of protection around me and my employees. I knew God was in control. I had never felt his presence and his love as I did that day. ❤️
His perfect LOVE cast out all fears.
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