How Does Perfect Love Cast Out Fear

I grew up on a traditional family dairy farm. This was long before cell phones, so I was Mom and Dad’s messenger when they needed to communicate while Dad milked the cows at night. Nightly walks between the house and the barn was just part of my normal day- until one Halloween when I was 5 years old.

My first memorable experience with fear was after my teacher read the story “The Headless Horseman”. Then message deliveries turned into a nightly ordeal with terror, because I knew the headless horseman was hiding in the cornfield across the road, just waiting for me.

But I also knew horses were afraid of dogs, so I called our beloved Boots to make the perilous trek with me. I turned it into a game of chase. I’d call out to her “C’mon, Boots! C’mon Boots! Let’s Go!” so she would run beside me as fast as my little legs could run.

I didn’t fear flying flaming pumpkins with Boots by my side to startle the horse. I trusted Boots to defend me, and I believed I was safe in her shadow.

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 4:18 NIV).

What Does “Perfect Love” Mean?

As a grown woman, sometimes I still fear what I can’t see. But now I seek refuge in the shadow of our loving Father.

God’s love for us is perfect, but what is “perfect” love. The Greek words for “perfect” and “made perfect” come from the root “telos”, which means “the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose”.

How Can Perfect Love Cast Out Fear?

Not only does God love us with a perfect love, but He is perfect love. Just as the purpose of light is to cast out darkness, the purpose of perfect love is to cast out fear. Jesus exposes the torment of fear for what it really is: lies

How to Cast Out Fear

What or who do you call on when you are afraid? Do you seek comfort from a pet, a loved one, chocolate, or shopping? Instead, I encourage you to call on Jesus and rest in the shadow of His love.

I’ve provided 3 tools to help you:
A prayer for trust in Jesus when you are afraid
4 Scriptures about resting in the shadow of God’s love
One of my favorite songs from when I was a girl

A Prayer for Trust in Jesus When You Are Afraid

I offer you the prayer I pray when I cry out to Jesus in my most desperate moments. I pray this prayer over and over until my heart rests. It’s simple because I can’t do any better when I’m overwhelmed. But He is always faithful.

“Jesus, no matter what this is, I know You’ll take care of me. I trust You, Lord; Help me trust You more! Help me Jesus.”

4 Scriptures About Seeking Refuge in God’s Perfect Love

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 4:18 NIV).

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7 NIV)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall (Isaiah 25:4 NIV)

On Eagles Wings Sung by Josh Groban

I used to sing this song as part of the church choir when I was in grade school. The melody always felt like Grandma’s rocking chair, and the lyrics assured me that I could find peace in Jesus, no matter what came my way by day or night.