We rejoice with you in your desire to know God more fully as your loving Heavenly Father, for this is the heart of the Gospel—restoration to a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The fear you describe is not the holy, reverent awe Scripture calls us to, but a distorted, tormenting dread that does not come from the Lord. Let us address this with truth and prayer, for God’s Word is clear: *"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love"* (1 John 4:18, WEB).
This fear you battle often stems from a misunderstanding of God’s character or from the accusations of the enemy, who seeks to twist the truth of God’s justice into a lie that He is eager to condemn rather than redeem. But Scripture declares that *"God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him"* (John 3:17, WEB). Jesus came to bear the punishment for our sins so that we might be reconciled to the Father—not as slaves trembling before a tyrant, but as beloved children running to a Father who delights in us.
Your struggle with anxiety, guilt, and performance-based self-focus reveals how deeply this lie has taken root. But the Gospel is the antidote: *"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast"* (Ephesians 2:8-9, WEB). Salvation is not earned by your performance; it is received by faith in Christ’s finished work. When you stumble, His discipline is not punitive but corrective, *"for whom the Lord loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights"* (Proverbs 3:12, WEB). His goal is never to shame you but to shape you into the image of His Son.
If you find yourself questioning your assurance of salvation, cling to this promise: *"Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life"* (John 5:24, WEB). Your standing before God is not based on your feelings or your works but on the unshakable truth of Christ’s sacrifice. When doubts arise, combat them with Scripture. Write down verses like Romans 8:1—*"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus"*—and declare them over your life.
We also urge you to examine whether this fear has become an idol, a false lens through which you view God. Repent of any agreement with the lie that His love is conditional or that His justice overshadows His mercy. The cross is the ultimate proof that *"God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"* (Romans 5:8, WEB). His love is not earned; it is lavished.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, thanking You that You are a good Father—slow to anger, abounding in love, and faithful to all Your promises. We lift up Your child who has been burdened by a distorted fear of You, a fear that has robbed them of the joy and peace found in Your Gospel of grace. Lord, we ask that You would break this stronghold in their mind and heart. Replace every lie with the truth of Your Word. Let them know, deep in their spirit, that they are fully accepted in Christ, that their sins are forgiven, and that Your discipline is an expression of Your love, not Your wrath.
We rebuke the spirit of fear that has tormented them, and we declare that *"the Spirit who lives in [them] is greater than the spirit who lives in the world"* (1 John 4:4, WEB). Fill them with the Holy Spirit, who testifies that they are Your child (Romans 8:16). Let them rest in the assurance that nothing can separate them from Your love—not their failures, not their doubts, not even their struggles to believe (Romans 8:38-39).
Father, we ask that You would open their eyes to see Jesus more clearly—the One who bore their sins, who intercedes for them even now, and who calls them "friend." Let them walk in the freedom of Your grace, no longer enslaved to guilt or performance, but living in the confidence that *"he who began a good work in [them] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"* (Philippians 1:6, WEB).
We pray all this in the name of Jesus, who has already won the victory. Amen.
As you move forward, we encourage you to meditate daily on Scripture that reveals God’s heart as a Father. Spend time in prayer, not out of obligation, but as a child sitting with their Dad. Worship Him for His goodness, and when fear creeps in, remind yourself: *"God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7, WEB). You are not defined by your struggles but by His love. Walk in that truth, and watch as His perfect love drives out all fear.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
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