Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (1 John 4:18 NLT)
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Normally when I think of “perfect love casts out all fear,” I think of the Love of God pushing away fear. While that is true, this story by Patricia King gives us a slightly different take on that verse.
LOVE BROKE THROUGH FEAR FOR ME THIS WEEK
This week, I found myself in a moment of deep emotional struggle. Waves of fear and hopelessness tried to press in, and I had to make a conscious decision to fight…to not give in, but to overcome. We all face those moments from time to time. The attacks may come, but they don’t have to define us. There is a place of victory. Faith over fear. Promise over circumstance.
In the middle of what felt like the onset of a panic attack, I sensed a quiet nudge in my heart: Go to McDonald’s. Yep… the Golden Arches. It was a simple nudge, even unusual because I had no appetite…but I followed it.
As I walked through the door, I noticed a young homeless man sitting alone near the entrance. There was a heaviness about him. His face carried deep despair, and there was no food in front of him. I felt drawn to him with compassion guiding me.
I sat down gently and asked if he was hungry. I told him I would love to get him something to eat. He gratefully said yes. When I returned with his meal, I asked if he would share his story with me. What he shared was heartbreaking. He was walking through painful circumstances, feeling alone, forsaken, and without hope.
In that moment, something shifted.
The love of God flooded my heart, and I began to share with him about Jesus and our Heavenly Father who sees him, knows him, and has not forgotten him. As we talked, I could see a glimmer of light beginning to rise within him — HOPE.
We prayed together, and it was so beautiful to witness the Father touching his heart, bringing comfort, love, and a sense that he was not alone. And then I realized something…As I focused on loving and caring for him, the fear that had gripped me began to lift. The physical and emotional symptoms that had felt so overwhelming, faded.
Love had displaced fear.
When we pour love into others, something supernatural happens and it flows back into us. And just as Scripture says, “perfect love casts out fear.” In those moments when fear tightens its grip and life feels overwhelming from every side, we are not alone, not for a second. He sees the one who feels forgotten… the one who is hurting… the one who has no strength left.
He sees the broken and the homeless.
He sees every hidden tear.
He is not a respecter of persons — He shows no favoritism.
No matter your background, your place in society, your age, your gender, or your ethnicity — His love is the same.
And He sees each of us fully, deeply, and with great love.
When dark shadows try to crowd in and fill your space, His light is not distant or dim. It is near… gentle… and powerful enough to quietly drive the darkness away and take its place.
You are seen.
You are loved.
And His light is closer than you think.
Christ in you is Light, and that glorious Light was made for the darkness.
Light belongs in the darkness.
Darkness is expelled by love.
So be intentional.
Look for opportunities to give.
Love the rejected.
Bring hope to the hopeless.
Give to the poor.
Offer life to the weary.
You never know — the breakthrough you’re looking for might be found in loving someone else.
BE REMINDED OF THIS TODAY – YOU ARE LOVED!
God, Thank you for these reminders of your great love for us. May we be people who lean into the truth of that love. Pour your love into us so that we have no fear, and we bless others. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.