Afraid to Love – by Lynn Gipson
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”—1 John 4:18 (KJV)
I spent my whole life being afraid of love, afraid to love others and afraid to receive it. Because I received little love, I often found it difficult to let my guard down and really love others. When I did, it seemed like people hurt me more by withdrawing their love. I grew up with people who loved me conditionally. If I was a good girl and agreed with everything they did or said, I felt they loved me. But, if I disagreed with them for any reason, they took their love away.
As a result, I became a people-pleaser, always saying what they wanted to hear and having no feeling of what I wanted. Through the years, I completely lost myself.
Then, when I found Jesus, I learned what love really is. He is love, pure and simple, and He has loved me all my life, regardless of my sins. Only Jesus knew my true heart, and it was filled with love that was so afraid to show itself. I am no longer afraid to love or to receive love. If I love someone who doesn’t love me, that’s okay because my love for others is unconditional, just as Christ’s love is. It is a beautiful feeling just to love others, to behold the Christ in them.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to love without fear of rejection. Those who reject my love need love. It is such a sense of freedom to know I can love anyone I choose because the love I hold in my heart is of Jesus. Amen.
Lynn is a freelance Christian writer. Contact | 
