Don't Panic

by Alexandra Copeland

God tells us in 1John 4:18(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.” In this verse, Heavenly Father is teaching us about love. He is not referencing love in the sense that society thinks of it. God is teaching us about HIS brand of love. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins. So, we can know with confidence that the love of God is no ordinary love. It’s incomparable, unconditional, infinite, and without limitations. His love is powerful, and it expels ALL fear; it wipes it out completely. This is incredibly good news!

Many people are afraid because there is so much happening in our world. For some, everything feels shaky and unsure, and the unpredictability makes them very nervous. Whether it’s a fear of the unknown, fear of being alone, or fear of being unprotected, it all stems from believing that we might not have what we need when we need it most. It makes us insecure, and this insecurity trickles into other aspects of our existence. We start to panic because we fear something bad is just around the corner, and we’re also afraid the things we value most will be taken from us within the blink of an eye. 

Our relationship with God is one where He is our Father, and we are His children. During our earth experience, He has given us parents and siblings. When and if these relationships function the way God set them up, we can better understand the relationship He desires with us through our born-again reality. Romans 8:29(NLT) tells us, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” We didn’t choose God first; He chose us first. He knew us long before we entered our mother’s womb, and He has a plan for our existence. His plan is that we become a part of His family. The way that we accomplish this is to accept the finished work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave his life as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. When we accept him as our personal Lord and Savior by believing in his sacrifice and resurrection, our believing goes up the Fallopian tube of faith, and God sends down His seed, the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit then comes to live in the innermost part of our being, and we are then eternally connected to Heavenly Father through His Son. Ephesians 1:13(NKJV) tells us, “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Because of Christ, we are God’s children, and He doesn’t want His children living in fear. This is why He tells us in 1John 4:18 that there isn’t any fear in His love.

The relationship we have with Heavenly Father is very special. To know that the Creator of the entire universe has chosen us to be His sons and daughters is an unfathomable honor and privilege. And just as we must do certain things to demonstrate we appreciate and honor the relationships we have with one another, there are things we must do to maintain our relationship with God as well. In Hebrews 11:6, He tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please Him. Faith is really the only way to demonstrate our gratitude to Heavenly Father for all that He’s done for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 commands us to trust Him with all our hearts and do not lean on our own understanding. We’re to seek His Will in all we do, and He will direct our paths.

Sometimes, the environment that surrounds us and the circumstances we face seem unstable, and because others are panicking, we may be tempted to do the same. In the Old Testament, Heavenly Father encouraged His people not to be shaken to their cores with fear. In Isaiah 41:10(NLT), He said, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” We’re His kids, and we need to rely on God. We can’t do life on our own. We need His help, and He knew we would. So, no matter how challenging, hurtful, or perilous a situation may seem, we can depend on God to protect us, because He is faithful to His promises, and His love for us will never end. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. 

“Don’t Panic”, by Alexandra Copeland© 2019. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.