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How Soon We Forget

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18 NKJV

Photo courtesy of pixabay.What hard heads. What idiots. They forgot God’s promises, floundered around in the wilderness for forty years, and most never made it to the land flowing with milk and honey.

The children of Israel forgot how God delivered them from bondage, rained manna from heaven, and kept them healthy and safe during their long journey. He showed them the glory of His provision, protection, and presence. But fear got the best of them, and they tried to take matters into their own hands.

It didn’t work. I wonder what they were thinking.

The truth is we can tsk, tsk, tsk all day thinking shame on them, but we often repeat their behavior. It’s certainly true in my case. Sometimes spiritual amnesia gets the best of me.

When I look back on the ways God has blessed me and all the promises He has faithfully fulfilled, there are too many to name. Counting my blessings one by one, as the song says, would take me from now throughout eternity.

Still, I often struggle in the midst of a storm or trial that life throws my way, easily forgetting God’s love and faithfulness. I think the reason—just like with the Israelites—is fear.

The Bible says fear involves torment. If you’ve ever dealt with fear, you know it robs us of peace. It steals our joy, shakes our foundation, tells us God doesn’t care, and prompts us to fix our problem. Fear causes us to panic and grasp for control instead of keeping our minds and hearts fixed on the One who has the power and all the answers we need.

The antidote for fear is love—God’s perfect love—where there is the absence of fear, doubt, anxiety, dread, and worry.

The next time fear comes knocking, allow God’s perfect love to drive it away. And never forget all the wonderful things He has done for you. Betcha can’t count them all.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)


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Andrea Merrell

Andrea Merrell is an award-winning author and professional freelance editor. She is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC and the 2018 Excellence in Editing award by the Christian Editors Network. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and was a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards and the 2018 Selah Awards, as well as a semi-finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis contest. She has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues, teaches workshops on writing and editing, and is the co-founder and regular contributor to www.TheWriteEditing.com, a blog designed specifically for writers. Andrea is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, Praying for the Prodigal, and Marriage: Make It or Break It. Contact her at www.AndreaMerrell.com.