On Christmas Day in 1975, when I was only nine years old (Oops❗️ 🫢 Accidentally outed my age on the internet again), I received my first Bible. It was a KJV (King James Version) from Mom and inside the front cover the publisher had put the first Bible verse I would memorize
"...perfect love casteth out fear..."
1 John 4:18
This was the perfect verse for me because I was absolutely riddled with fear as I was starting my life with several Monkeys on my Back including my main one called, "Anthropophobia"
Definition: It is an intense dread of human beings, regardless of the setting, which can cause anxiety around strangers, crowds, or even close family and friends.
I also had "Agoraphobia".
Definition: an anxiety disorder that causes an intense fear of being in public places or situations where escape might be hard or help might not be available.
Situations that often cause fear include: Using public transit like buses, trains, or planes.
Being in enclosed places like stores or elevators.
Standing in line or being in a crowd.
Being outside or home alone.
I also have "Anticipatory Anxiety Disorder".
Definition: persistent fear and dread of experiencing another panic attack,
(and I haven't even mentioned my OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) but that's for another day.)
This revelation probably comes as a huge surprise to those who know me because I have a huge capacity to focus my thoughts to temporarily subdue my fears, but there were times (perhaps when I was tired) when the fear would consume me and I would pass out in public from the intensity of it. Like when riding home on a crowded, standing room only bus at the end of the day. Riding on the Skytrain in Vancouver was torture because it was always crowded and there was no way to get off it in-between stations.
But whatever big, fancy medical terms you give these feelings it all comes down to FEAR❗️
So my first Bible verse was perfect for me. Even though I didn’t know where to find this "perfect love" it talked about, it gave me hope to know it existed and some day it would cast off the shackles of my Fears and set me free.
I found this perfect, unconditional, sacrificial love in 1978, one month before my 12th birthday, when I was introduced to Jesus and welcomed Him to take over my pathetic life and make Himself at home in me, where I crossed from darkness into the light and from death to life. (Oops❗️🫢 Accidentally outed my Born Again age on the internet again).
And from that moment on Jesus healed me of all my fearful disorders and phobias and I walked into newness of life humming "Blessed Assurance" and constantly followed by several pink kittens.
Uh. Actually, no. It didn't work out that way. Much to my chagrin I discovered that all my fears were very much still there. But when I asked Jesus why didn't He "casteth out" my fears when He moved into my life He responded this way, (which is part of Jesus's prayer for us at the Last Supper).
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
John 17:15-17
Reality, our sicknesses and human weakness do not simply stop when we choose to follow Jesus. In fact, we GAIN many hardships we didn't have before when we become Christians. Followers of Jesus quickly learn we are required to pick up some form of a daily cross, God has designed specifically for us, as we trudge along after Jesus, who carries the FULL weight of our sins on His cross.
What He actually promises is to make His Home in us and never leave us. THIS promise He always fulfills. He has to me no matter what dark path I have had to go through and there have been many in my lifetime.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4
The quest for "perfect love" I started 51 years ago at just nine years old (Oops❗️🫢 Accidentally outed my age on the internet again) is something we ALL long to find. Whether it's to cast out Fear, Loneliness, Pain, Desperation or All of the Above. I am here to encourage you that it does exist and is available to you when you surrender your Self, your ENTIRE Self , to Jesus. When it will be your moment to step from the darkness into the light and death into life.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
The Truth with Love,
Always Laura-Lee
Here's your treat for scrolling all the way to the bottom.
In 2010 I was coming back with a batch of groceries I had just got for Mom because she had become too sick to do her own shopping and it had been a rough time for me because the store was so crowded and I was stuck in the lineup with my cart a long time. I paused on the street outside her apartment to get myself under control so that her discerning eyes wouldn't pick up any problems with me that would cause her extra concern.
"Lord, now I have to face the store twice as often. For me and for Mom. I know you've heard this prayer a Million times from me but I'm going to ask again. 'Help me cope, Jesus. Please help me cope.' Amen"
🙂↕️
Jesus's response?
"It is Finished!"
(John 19:30)
Right there, on 97th street, here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in front of the "Petals for Less" florist shop, Jesus cast out ALL my Fears and Phobias in one fell swoop. 🥹
... and I haven't shut up since. 😅🤣😂 Making up for lost time I guess. 😉
Can I get a Praise the Lord for that one❓️❗️🤗
🤫🤔 I wonder how, where and when YOUR deliverance will come?
(Yeah. I know it's corny. So what are you gonna do 'bout it? This is MY blog! 🤨)
Do I need to suggest, yet again; that you start reading the Bible?
Link to my previous post, "The Bible for Newbies"
Another treat for "Scolling Above and Beyond Duty" 🏆
Link Tina Arena's version of the Foreigner cassic, "I Wanna Know What Love Is?" 🎶l
