“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

None of us are perfect—but God is. And when we fill ourselves with His love through prayer, scripture, or simply resting in His presence, we set the strongest foundation for our day. Still, life happens. Triggers sneak in. And that’s why sometimes we need a little extra TLC.

The Simple Practice 

Next time you notice fear or anxiety rising, try this gentle exercise:

1. Pause and Place a Hand on Your Heart
   Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Just notice what you’re feeling without judgment.

2. Catch the Thought or Feeling
   Name it: “I feel guilt, shame, fear” or “My thoughts are spiralling around: ‘I’m not good enough’.” Awareness is the first step toward change.

3. Speak to Yourself with Love
   Replace the harsh thought with something true and kind. For example:

   • Instead of “I’ll never get a job,” remind yourself:
     “I did my best. If this job is for me, it will find me. If not, God has something better prepared.”

4. Trust God’s Plan
   Remember: we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond. Shifting to trust in God and receiving His love changes both our mindset and our emotions.

Why it Works… 

Fear often feels like punishment—but so often, we’re the ones punishing ourselves with unworthy thoughts or old patterns. 

By catching those thoughts and replacing them with truth and love, we slowly retrain our minds. With practice, the shift becomes easier, faster, and more natural.

A Life-Long Journey Towards Love

As believers, our whole life is a journey of becoming more like God—who is love (1 John 4:16). That doesn’t mean we’ll never slip into fear. It means we have tools, grounded in faith, to guide us back into love when we do.

Final Encouragement

The next time you feel fear creeping in, try this exercise. Breathe, notice, replace, trust. God’s love is stronger than fear, and He is always with you.