“The Greatest Antidote to Fear”
In this time of great uncertainty as we deal with the Coronavirus in our country and across the world, fear has become a significant issue. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are being encouraged to resist the temptation to allow fear to overtake us and to allow “faith to overcome fear.” This is an important message, as our faith in Christ—trusting in Him—is essential. However, we believe that there is an even greater message that we need to internalize to effectively deal with fear in these times. It is the message of The Father’s Love.
In 1 John 4:18, it says that “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. . .“ (NIV). This “perfect love” is the love of the Father expressed through Jesus (see John 14:9). It is this love that provides the security—the foundation upon which our faith and trust can be built. If I am not secure that God is love and He truly loves ME, it will be very hard to trust him in these uncertain times.
A Letter to Abba Father
One very helpful tool that we use to help clients see the heart of Father God toward us is “The Father’s Love Letter.” This letter, developed by fatherheart.tv cofounder Barry Adams, is a compilation of Scriptures that communicate the love of God as our true Father. It has gone around the world in various formats and is now in at least one-hundred different languages.
In addition to sharing this letter with our clients, we have modified it to express its truths from the perspective of the recipient talking to the Father rather than the Father talking to us. We call the result the “personalized version,” and we share it with you here as an invitation to drink in and ponder the heart of Father God toward you. As you read this letter, pay particular attention to the expression of feelings that accompany many of the words and phrases. Though every statement is from Scripture, we have removed those references for ease of reading. Links are provided at the end of this blog post to access the original letter with the Scripture references included.
Dear Abba,
I may not have always known you, but you have known everything about me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You are familiar with all my ways. Even the very hairs on my head are numbered. I was made in your image—and in you I live and move and have my being. For I am your offspring. You knew me even before I was conceived. You chose me when you planned creation. I was not a mistake—for all my days are written in your book. You determined the exact time of my birth and where I would live. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You knit me together in my mother’s womb—and brought me forth on the day I was born.
You have been misrepresented by those who don’t know you. You are not distant and angry, but are the complete expression of love. It is your desire to lavish your love on me—simply because I am your child and you are my Father. You offer me more than my earthly father ever could—for you are the perfect Father. Every good gift that I receive comes from your hand—for you are my provider and you meet all my needs. Your plan for my future has always been filled with hope—because you love me with an everlasting love. Your thoughts toward me are as countless as the sand on the seashore—and you rejoice over me with singing. You will never stop doing good to me—for I am your treasured possession. You desire to establish me with all your heart and all your soul—and you want to show me great and marvelous things.
If I seek you with all my heart, I will find you. As I delight in you, you will give me the desires of my heart—for it is you who gave me those desires. You are able to do more for me than I could possibly imagine—for you are my greatest encourager. You are also the Father who comforts me in all my troubles. When I am brokenhearted, you are close to me. As a shepherd carries a lamb, you have carried me close to your heart. One day you will wipe away every tear from my eyes—and you will take away all the pain I have suffered on this earth.
You are my Father, and you love me even as you love Your Son, Jesus—for in Jesus, your love for me is revealed. He is the exact representation of your being. Jesus came to demonstrate that you are for me, not against me—and to tell me that you are not counting my sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. His death was the ultimate expression of your love for me. Father, you gave up everything you loved that you might gain my love. If I receive the gift of your son Jesus, I receive you—and nothing will ever separate me from your love again. When I come home, you’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. You have always been Father and will always be Father. Your question to me is . . . “Will you be my child?”. You are waiting for me.
Love,
(Your Name)
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Please share this important message with others—including those who have not yet embraced the gift—Jesus and His loving Father. We pray that each one of you will rest in His “personal” love for you and that fear will have no place to reside.
Dear Abba Letter taken from The Missing Commandment: Love Yourself (Expanded Edition), “Chapter 4 – What Does God Feel . . . About Us?”
See www.fathersloveletter.com for the original “Father’s Love Letter.”
TO SHARE THIS POST: We hope you will share this blog post on your own social media sites and direct those you know to our ministry and publication sites. Use the links at the bottom of the page to help us spread this healing message of "loving ourselves the way God does."
BOOKS AND MEDIA: "Loving God, Loving Myself" and our Expanded Edition of "The Missing Commandment: Love Yourself," are available at jerryanddenisebasel.com and Amazon.com.
COUNSELING MINISTRY: If you or anyone you know is in need of finding a safe place for emotional and/or spiritual healing and restoration, please contact us at The Father's Heart Intensive Christian Counseling Ministry. Check out our web site at fathersheart.com or email us directly at fathersheartmin@gmail.com. We are located in the North Georgia Mountains in a retreat-like setting and counsel individuals or couples for periods of two to five-days in length.
