The Big Bad Wolf

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

“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)

As a child, I remember distinctly looking out the car window, in darkness of night, and feeling afraid of what could be out there hiding in the shadows. Perhaps fear was caused by scary stories shared by older cousins or seeing people dressed in monster costumes around Halloween. I do know that fear was somehow suggested to me. It wasn’t something I came up with on my own.  I learned it through others or experiences. I learned it the same way that I learned I was always safe in my mother’s arms.

Fear changes as we become adults. Perhaps we fear being hurt or heartbroken by another person. We can go to the doctor for a checkup, and the suggestion of a biopsy “just to make sure it isn’t cancer” can result in fear.

We have to be prepared for the insidious way fear tries to take hold of us. Once something is learned, we have a choice to allow it to control us or break the hold it has upon us. First, we hold fast to the truth that Jesus has overcome the world.  That means He conquered death. Rising from the grave He gave us all redemption and an eternal home with the Lord.  He went to hell and paid the price for all our sins. His victory and salvation give us access to healing, authority, and power, granted through Jesus Christ, to each one who believes in Him as Savior.

Secondly, when we understand the power of the love of God to do all of that and fulfill every promise and purpose for our life, we recognize we have no reason to fear. Our God is a good God, and He knows how to pour out His blessings upon His children (John 1:16). Just as I learned to trust that my parents would protect me in every situation, I now need to trust God. After all, it is God who chose you and has called you His beloved. He sees, knows, and understands all things.  To Him alone is all power and authority, in Heaven and Earth. We operate that authority here on earth. We use His word to fight against fear and instill faith. It is our weapon, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), which is the very word of God. If we have this authority, then we grasp that there is nothing we have to fear – not even the big, bad wolf!

Lord, thank you for your perfect love. Thank you for Jesus, who, through his sacrifice, gave us victory in anything that comes against or tries to place itself in a position higher than your word. Help us to have a deeper revelation of the victory and power we have within ourselves just by being your child. Help us to speak faith in every situation and cast down words people use to influence fear in our lives. No weapon from the enemy can be used against us in Jesus‘ mighty name!