“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18)
In 1878, the German realist painter August Friedrich Schenck painted perhaps one of his most famous paintings. Simply called Anguish, the painting portrays a ewe grieving over the remains of her lamb as they are surrounded by what seems to be a hungry murder of black crows. An attentive observer cannot but notice the look of agony that sweeps the ewe’s face, as gloomy clouds lurk on the horizon.
Schenck’s painting is such a vivid portrayal of anguish. It aptly captures the spirit of fear that invades our hearts and minds amid a crisis. Yet, it also prompts the question of whether fear must always be our constant companion through the vicissitudes of life. The Apostle John, speaking from experience, responds in the negative. He instead insists that fear has an antidote – and a potent one. Fear’s antidote is resting on God’s love.
We rest on God’s love by fully believing, trusting and embracing God’s love for us. Indeed, fear is dispelled by the firm assurance that our Heavenly Father deeply loves us and as a result, all He does and allows flow from that love. That’s why enamored by God’s love, David could sing: “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (Psalm 131:2).
Calm and quiet your heart, “for the Father himself loves you” (John 16:27). May you fully embrace His love today!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, by the power of your Spirit, help me fully trust in your perfect love for me in these times of uncertainty. Let your love muffle the voice of fear in my mind and give me peace. Amen!
