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Unwarranted Fear

By: Bishop Arthur F. Mosley

I have a confession that I want to make.  This is something few people know about me.  There are people close to me that I have known for years who do not know what I am about to share about myself.  Here we go!  This is my confession: I am terrified of heights!  There, I said it!  I even feel a sense of relief now that I have disclosed my fear.

The strange thing is I can ride rollercoasters and even look out the window while the plane is flying at thirty thousand feet altitude.  However, I cringe and squirm at the thought of standing on a roof without railing and climbing a ladder that is over six feet high.  I have never fallen off of a roof or a ladder; still, high places that do not feel secure are my nightmare. 

All of us have fears.  Fear is a distressing emotional response brought on by a perceived threat and/or danger.  Another word for fear is phobia. My fear of heights is called acrophobia. If you are afraid of snakes, your phobia is called ophidiophobia.  If you are terrified of bugs, you have entomophobia.  You do not have to have the experience of a snake or bug bite to fear these. 

Surprisingly, there is a fear of love.  Philophobia is the fear of falling in love.  Is it possible to fear that God will not love us?  Is it possible to fear that God will stop loving us?  I believe this fear exist.  It is possible that many are plagued and spiritually deceived by this crippling fear.

There is an assurance in God’s word for His eternal, unending love.  For me, this is wonderful news!  The assurance of God’s perpetual love is given to us in Romans 8:38-39.  It says,

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [1]

Often, the above passage is used to reference our love for God.  It is a good thing for us to love God.  We should love God.  However, this passage is stating God’s inseparable love for us!  This means there is not anything that has the power to persuade God to stop loving us.  God’s love for us will not be removed or taken away.  His love for us is unconditional.

There are techniques to face, and even overcome, our fears, including unwarranted fears. I may not overcome my fear of heights.  But I have overcome my fear of God not loving me.  I pray that you are delivered from this fear as well.

PRAYER

“Father, there are parts of my life that make me feel so unlovable.  I know that I am full of error, faults, and failures.  I am amazed that despite my short comings, you still love me.  Thank you for your incredible, unconditional love.  I take your word that you love me.  No longer will I doubt or question your love for me.  I will not be gripped by the fear of not being loved by you.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.”