Love of God = no fear of man
The opposite of love is fear.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
"For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
Memorize those verses.
Fear is the opposite of love. Fear can take us over and make us do things we don't want to do if we don't fight it with faith and love.
We are never alone
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]" Psalm 46:1-3
God always was -- before time -- and always will be. This life on earth is just a wisp of life. Do what Jesus did. Jesus healed. Jesus preached. That is what the disciples did. This is what we are called to do.
Our worth is not measured on earth by God -- the way the world measures our worth.
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:26-31
Christ is with us. Always with us.
Peace of God vs the world's peace
"23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:23-27
The world says, "Be afraid and behave!""
God knows what is best for us. Seek him.
Fear Not
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
I called and you heard me
Those who were my enemies without cause
hunted me like a bird.
53 They tried to end my life in a pit
and threw stones at me;
54 the waters closed over my head,
and I thought I was about to perish.
55 I called on your name, Lord,
from the depths of the pit.
56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears
to my cry for relief.”
57 You came near when I called you,
and you said, “Do not fear.” Lamentations 3:52-57
If fear starts coming over you, call out to God. He is there.
Therefore, be confident in power and love
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[a] Hebrews 13:6
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:6-7
Love like Christ did. Self-discipline, read word; pray and listen -- 2 way conversation.
Jesus was not afraid ever.