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 [God’s] perfect love. 1 John 4:18

 

For many people, failure can be very costly.

A social worker at a domestic abuse shelter shared heartbreaking stories of women who lived in constant fear of making even the most minor mistakes. They’d endured severe mistreatment over everyday accidents like burnt food or simple spills. A young man in his first job lived in dread of messing up on even the simplest assignment his boss gave him, after enduring years of ridicule and beatings at the hand of his father–for simply being a kid.

This isn’t love, but in fact, experts define it as terrorism—violence used to create fear that gets the terrorist what he really desires.[1] In stark contrast, the Bible talks about the effect of real love. “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 [God’s] perfect love” (I John 4:18). This is what God’s love is really like.

When God observes sin or error in our lives, He patiently and kindly reveals it because He loves us (Hebrews 12:7). Anything God reveals in your life, He intends to help you address as He heals you! He cares for us like a gentle shepherd caring for his sheep. He doesn’t want us bruised and battered when we go astray. Instead, God comes to find us, offering His gentle guidance to lead us back to safety.

Take a moment to reflect on how you perceive God when you make a mistake. Do you imagine Him instantly angry with you, or do you see Him as understanding, patiently waiting to guide you back into His arms?

[1] Pain, Rachel. “Everyday Terrorism – Scottish Women’s Aid.” Scottish Women’s Aid, Aug. 2012, womensaid.scot/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EverydayTerrorismReport.pdf.