If we can fully understand just how much God loves us, it will cast out all fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a). And God’s love is not a natural love, like we know here on earth. God’s love is powerful. It carries incredible life-changing power.
Too often, when faced with crippling fear or anxiety, we strive hard to find a solution. We read, study, listen and do things to find that elusive freedom from fear. “I’ll try harder, learn more, overcome, beat this thing…” Sound familiar?
I did this for years. Even today, I still do this to some degree. It’s natural for us to seek a path of least pain. So, we strive and learn and do things to find freedom. Sadly, we often turn to other things for temporary freedom–alcohol, cigarettes, busyness, entertainment, sex, distraction, whatever we can find to numb the fear. We’re trying to alleviate a legitimate issue with illegitimate means.
God’s love for us is supernatural–it goes beyond our natural understanding and reasoning. It carries great power–power to heal, set free, cleanse and bring peace. And, interestingly, when you put your trust in Christ, that same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives inside of you (Ephesians 1:19, 20). You are empowered to live a victorious life.
So, how do I activate that power in my life?
Ephesians 1:19 describes “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” His exceedingly great Power is activated when we believe. There is heavenly power that can set us free living inside of us right now. If you have given your heart to Christ, he now lives in you supernaturally. And, his exceedingly great power is inside you right now. But, it’s dormant until you believe. God’s power is activated in us when we believe.
Let me give you another example in scripture. Most believers are familiar with Ephesians 3:20, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think.” Sounds awesome doesn’t it? The problem is that we don’t quote the whole scripture. We stop too soon. Here’s the entire scripture:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
The words “according to” indicates a limitation. For example, if I say, “Each of you can play the piano according to your ability.” Then, you can only play to the limit of your ability. Or, “You can run according to your fitness level.” These words “according to” indicate a limit.
God’s power–that can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask our think–is limited to what we believe (Ephesians 1:19).
Do you believe God wants you free from fear? Do you believe you can be victorious? Do you believe you can do things that you previously could not?
For years, I believed I was trapped in fear and could not get free. I believed it was too big, too much, too hard. God could not work in my life because I limited him through what I believed. His power was limited because it is released “according to” what I believed.
Today, I believe with all my heart that God wants us all to be free from fear. He is fighting for us constantly, continually, around the clock, 24/7. He wants you free from fear more than you want to be free. But, he is limited through our faith, through what we believe.
I encourage you this to believe that God is for you, not against you. He’s fighting for your freedom. You need to believe that. You need to believe that the power to set you free is already inside you through Christ. When we believe, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to that power!
Prayer: Father, I believe. I believe that your power is inside of me, and I believe that you are fighting for me, to set me free. Release your freedom power inside of me.