In John 4:18 we read There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
It is interesting that this reading does not say perfection or uprightness is the antidote to fear, but only love.
And yet, if we read the gospels, it would seem the opposite is true: that giving one's life to Jesus spells disaster. Think of the stories we read: The Magi were content people until they met Jesus. Then they had to flee for their lives for fear of Herod. Mary and Joseph seem quite normal people until Jesus comes along. Then they too have to fee into Egypt because of the threat of death. Even in our own lives, how many times has a commitment to Christ caused us more trials than we would undergo otherwise?
But doesn't this show us that in our lives, giving ourselves over to Jesus does not mean some superficial happiness, but a deepening of our spiritual lives? Does not such a commitment demand stripping off all that is false and shallow so that we can be more authentic?
And what we find is something new, something hidden, something we would not have seen had we not made this step. This is how we go beyond fear...we leave off the empty show and stand tall in our own truth. We strip off the false, and stand naked just as we are. And it is love that gives us the courage to do this fearful thing.
Carlos Ezpiroz Costa writes in contemplation we see in light what others can not see. Jesus brings always-Light. Our first real glimpse of ourselves is quite frightening-and we will suffer shock until we come to accept our own reality. This is why it is important to remember that God has already loved us, in full knowledge of our true selves, long before we know it ourselves.
Olivier Clement writes Then we discover the basic truth about ourselves, that we are loved, and it is because we are loved that we exist. Love casts out fear. It gives us strength. It makes us courageous. It opens the door into a new life.
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