Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
posted on December 9th, 2009 / by Celia Sugg / 23 Comments“I am so proud of you for having the courage to take risks, go out on a limb for God, and keep going when you have setbacks. You are the bravest person I know and I’m so excited to pursue dreams with you! The truth is, I would rather be where we are now with all of the stress it brings than living a ‘safe’ life doing the same thing day in day out and never reaching for the dreams God has put in our hearts that are bigger than us.”
I pressed send and then stared at the text message I had written to my husband to encourage him in an incredibly stressful time. The stress we were facing, that we had been facing on and off for over a year, revolved around a financial crisis and the threat of losing my husband’s business, our income, all of our savings which we had invested in it, all of the money that friends and family had invested, our credit, etc. etc. It was a situation loaded with stress and pressure, to say the least.
As I re-read the upbeat, faith-filled text I had just sent, my mind flashed back to a scene from the past – me huddled on my couch under a blanket, bound up in anxiety, planning a day at home because I felt too anxious to even get up and do anything. I couldn’t recall what the particular stress of that day had been, but as the memory flooded in I also remembered that such days used to be a frequent occurrence in my life. I struggled with intense fear and anxiety that often paralyzed me. I spent a lot of my time and energy trying to do everything in my power to “live a safe life, doing the same thing day in day out” so that I could stay in control, never have to deal with the stress of uncertainty, and keep overwhelming anxiety at bay. It seemed like such a distant memory as I thought about it as I just didn’t experience that kind of gripping and overwhelming anxiety anymore, but as I reflected I knew that it had been a long-term struggle. When had this changed in me? When and how exactly had I found the courage to let go of control, even when it was scary, and walk in faith instead of fear?
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18. I mulled this over in my heart and knew that was the answer, the antidote to my anxiety – God’s love had been the changing force in my life, moving me from a place of fear to a place of faith. I wish I could say that it happened in an instant, in a lightning bolt moment of divine revelation, but it really didn’t – it happened gradually, over a number of years actually, as I spent more time with God and He revealed more and more of Himself to me. As I prayed and read His word, the truth and promises laid out in the Bible started to take hold in my heart…
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me]. Philippians 4:13, AMP
Because you have made the Lord your refuge and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil will befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
More and more in times of uncertainty these scriptures would come into my heart and mind and take the place of the catastrophic thinking and panic I would ordinarily feel. Take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 – unknowingly this is exactly what I was doing, taking my thoughts captive and submitting them to the truth of God’s word. As I replaced my thoughts with God’s thoughts, He started changing me and my reality. My reality became God’s truth, even when my circumstances seemed to contradict that truth. I could feel His tremendous love for me in the promises of His Word as I read the Bible and in the peace of His presence as I spent time praying, and that love made my fears seem insignificant.
Looking back I could see that this change in me didn’t happen particularly quickly, but it did happen relatively painlessly. None of the hard work and striving to change myself and make myself better that I used to invest in trying to be perfect – He just did it for me as I let Him. It happened as I spent time with Him, got to know His character, goodness and faithfulness, and received His immense and immeasurable love for me. I can truly say that God healed me of fear and anxiety with His love.
Maybe you don’t struggle with fear and anxiety, maybe your personal struggle is with anger, depression, addiction, loneliness or rejection. If you struggle in any area, this is my prayer for you…
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-20
Celia is the wife of a fearless adventurer and risk taker who constantly inspires her to move out of her comfort zone and give up fear; mother of a beautiful one year old daughter who daily moves her to embrace life with joy and gratitude; counselor in private practice whose clients allow her to experience their journeys of healing and see God’s miracles in new ways; and daughter of the Great Healer who is constantly refining her with His love!
Celia,
You know what?? I started reading this – not knowing who the author was because I always like to be surprised when I get to the end – feeling as if someone had borrowed parts of my life from this year. Then the story felt familiar, as if I knew some of it, but not because it was mine … so I didn’t wait to the end this time, I scrolled down because I had to see if my guess was right … and it was! It’s you! How awesome to see you and your testimony of God’s love right here!
So, I went back up and read, in full, your story and powerful walk with the Lord in conquering fear. This is so inspiring…and maybe because Anthony and I have walked a close road to this.
Gosh, I loved how you opened this. I think we forget just how powerful words are; how much power they have to pronounce life [or death] into our life situations. You spoke words of life over and into your husband at at time when it was most difficult to do so. May we all learn a lesson about stepping out into the world of “life words”, as you did.
“As I replaced my thoughts with God’s thoughts, He started changing me and my reality. My reality became God’s truth, even when my circumstances seemed to contradict that truth.”
Gosh, those words hit me like a ton of bricks..but in a good way. Conviction…but in a good way. I’m definitely going to share these because they are a chunk of gold that needs to be shared.
Thank you for reminding us of this truth. I want to learn how to really walk this out…day in and day out.
Much Blessing and Love!
Babs
Celia,
Oh, the places you will go in Him!! I love your vulnerability and humility as you declare the truth – it really is all Him doing the work in us!
I remember one day rocking my 5th child when I realized I was not the same person I was when I held my 1st. And it was God who made the changes, not my ability to change or my consistant striving but His word in my life, the incorruptable seed planted in my heart that brought the change!! Embracing this truth sets us free to be and let God be God!
Celia,
This was so beautifully written. I love the grace of God that exudes from you. This truth was like honey to my lips this morning.
Rebecca Gates shared this site with me and I check it daily for inspiration. Celia, thank you for just being honest. It’s healing just reading it. Your sharing gives many of us the glimpse of hope we need. How beautiful you are just walking out your faith!
Thanks a million!
Celia,
Thank you so much for your encouragement to me as we pursue what God has for us. Without you I would not be able to run the race that he has called us to and I thank him for you every day.
Your words of affirmation and dependence on God continue to strengthen my resolve that God is in control regardless of what we may face.
Thank you for loving God and allowing his light to shine through you.
Your partner in the adventure of life,
Joe
Celia,
What beautiful truth displayed in your beautiful writing! Thank you for this testimony and encouragement….God is so good and so able to take our junk and sift it out to His glory. You are a treasure! Much love, Beth
Hey Celia,
We’ve never met but I briefly knew your husband from church years ago. I love your blog because I have also suffered from anxiety. I can’t say that I dove into God’s Word and studied it feverishly until my anxiety was replaced with His truth. But I can say that God’s Word is so powerful that just reading those scriptures you mentioned from time to time has changed my anxiety from the roaring lion it once was to a small issue. On occasion the devil will attempt to lie to me. I know his lying will never cease. But the scripture that keeps me free is “take EVERY thought captive unto the obedience of Christ.”. I stayed trapped for so long because I didn’t realize I COULD take those untruthful thoughts from the enemy captive. I thought they were mine and there was no escape. But God is so good to us that He took the moments I gave Him here and there and made the most of them. That amazes me. Even when we don’t give Him our best, He still gives us His. And I am so grateful for that.
Celia,
My dear friend you continue to amaze and inspire me. Every wife needs to write words like that to her husband. Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts in such a beautifully written story.
I am still early in my journey to relinquish control and unrealistic expectations. But I am growing to realize his love does make any of our preconceived notions seem insignificant. I hope you will continue to share your gift of writing with other women experiencing the same type of struggles.
I thank God for You!
Caroline
Celia,
You fit right in with the women who regularly display transparency and unbridled authenticity on this blog. I so admire each of you ladies for sharing what God’s teaching you, what’s he’s taught you and how you are doing life with the King.
I, too, believe in your husband! I, too, see him as a fearless adventurer who is committed to what the Lord asks! And I, too, am a fan of yours for exampling Christ through your testimony of faith, love and devotion!
Blessings and favor be upon my two friends,
Anthony
Wow, thank you all so much for your awesome words of encouragement! I have no words to tell you how much it means – it was hard for me to share something so personal not being sure if anyone could relate, so your comments are wonderfully reassuring!!
Blessings to you all,
Celia
Celia,
You know, I’ve always thought of you as brave. Feeling fear and doing things that frighten us anyway is the very definition of courage. I’m so happy to read that you’ve found so much peace to add to your courage, as well as a partner who helps you to grow. I know you do the same for him. Taking the time to share your story to give others hope and encouragement – which requires it’s own kind of bravery when you’re a private person – is selfless and loving…the two characteristics I think of first when I think of you. Thank you for writing this.
Courtney
Celia,
Your words are a revelation to me, but more so a blessing. Thank you for your boldness in sharing, for the bravery in stepping out in faith. Please know that your story of God’s healing power has touched me in ways I am not able to put into words. You are an amazing woman, wise and loving and a precious daugher.
Love,
Mom
1 John 4:18 is often the scripture my husband quotes to me when I am caught in fear. Thank you for sharing your heart and speaking the truth.
AMEN !! This was beautiful and anointed! Your testimony proves God’s word, “perfect love casts out all fear”. The closer we get to Him the more we are able to rest in His love for us. Thank you for this it was a blessing to me personally.
Celia, thank you for being so “real”. You’re brave and courageous! That was so encouraging!
Celia- Thank you so much for sharing and being so transparent. I was so blessed and touched by your testimony. You are such an encourager, as a wife, Mommy, and friend! Thank you for your friendship!! I love you and am excited to see the next chapter in your lives. T
celia, how truly beautiful. i struggle with bad anxiety too and this is an inspiration. thank you for writing such a moving piece. you are an amazing lady, and we have such a wonderful father!!
ABBA FATHER!!
Celia- I received your post from Joe. He was a friend of mine from his Dallas days as an intern. I was so blessed to “meet” you. I just got home from the gym and quickly checked my emails and read your post. I was so encouraged!!!!! It was confirmation to me today to continue to “yield” instead of “strive” to get rid of fear and mindsets. His love has been changing me from fear and it seems to take forever!! (and I need to be reminded!) But, thank you for sharing and today God’s word through you watered my soul!!
Yielding to His love-
Charity Villalobos
Celia, there are women that are beautiful on the outside but very ugly on the inside, and there are those woman that are very beautiful on the inside and not so pretty on the outside. I knew when I first met you that you were pretty outside and inside. We are very blessed to have you in our lives. When I read your words, the Holy Spirit reminded me at the beginning of 2009 as I was praying for you and Joey for the year, God gave me Proverbs 31 for both of you. I felt so blessed and began praising the Lord. You see, Celia I have been praying for Joey and His future wife since he was twelve years of age. I didn’t know who you were but I knew that God was going to give Joey someone that was not only beautiful on the outside but was beautiful on the inside, someone that Loves God with all of her heart, soul and mind and would be the perfect mate for Joey. I know that God has put both of you together perfectly. When the Holy Spirit gave me Proverbs 31 it was again confirmation that he is doing a work in your lives. I believe in both of you and what God has planned. Keep looking forward, He is making a way and His plan will be unfolded in your lives. I can hear from your words what is in your heart and how much you are growing in the Lord.
The scriptures that are coming to me to share with you and Joey as you continue to seek the Lord is Joshua Chapter 1 (Joshua is commisioned by God). Each thing God tells Joshua to do, He ends it with His promise. It is so great that you are seeking the Lord with all your heart and standing on His Word and doing what the Word says, God’s promise to you is He will make Joey and Celia’s way prosperous, and than you will have success. He says to be “STRONG and COURAGEOUS!” “Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you and wherever you go.” He also says in Joshua 1 not to turn to the right or the left so that you may have success wherever you go. Wow!!! I see some great Words in Joshua 1 Strong-Courageous-God is with you-Success-Prosperous!!!!! WOW!!! God’s PROMISE is going to happen in your lives just as what is happening in your walk with the Lord is unfolding and He is doing great things. I love you Celia and thank God for you. May you continue to see yourself as God see’s you as a”Kings Daughter.” You are”His PRINCESS”.
Continue to share what God is doing in your life because you are a blessing and it is encouraging to all of us what God is doing and can do for all of us. Love,
Deb
Celia- Thank you for this. So many live with fear- and as we know, fear will paralyze you. Your story is one of hope- a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you, extremely well written- bless you for using your story and your life to help others.
Celia,
Your faith is inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
I am so glad I read this…it totally blessed me!~
Dear Celia~
Thank you for this. It brought tears to my eyes as I read it, and it also delivered such feelings of love and freedom. As you know, I struggle greatly with anxiety. Peace lies in faith… and your wise, perfectly chosen words and passages brought a deep sense of peace and happiness. You are the greatest, and I love you so much.
Love and kisses to all the suggs~
Karen