Ouchless

Everyone has been hurt, and as a natural response, we all try to avoid it again in the future. Although some pain can be avoided, the strategies that are aimed to protect us can sometimes keep us disconnected from those we want to get close to. Often times we want to keep a “safe distance” because we are afraid of being hurt, but often all this does is add distance, right?

We know that when fear kicks in we respond naturally in three ways: fight, flight, or freeze. When presented with a conflict, if you respond by pounding your fist, pounding the pavement, or heart pounding paralysis, you are controlled by fear. Fear can keep us apart, and it also can keep us from the life we want. Fear has to be overcome in order to move on.

Now fear has only one antidote: LOVE. Courage does not remove fear, love does. When our loved ones are faced with danger, courage keeps us moving forward in spite of our fears, it does not remove the fear, only love expels fear. 

"There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear." 1 John 4:18(a)

What if instead of being controlled by fear, we let love be what moved us forward? What if we embraced conflict as an opportunity instead of an obstacle for deeper connection? What if we let love lead? Come to Hope Crossing Sunday and let’s learn about a love that can move mountains, keep us moving, and give us strength when we feel like we can’t go on any longer.

For now, here's a tip for when it comes to staying connected: LET LOVE LEAD.

Try This:

1.  Do some random loving act for a person near you.

2.  Take a walk in your neighborhood and pray for each home, and for opportunities to invite someone to church for Easter.

3.  Gather two or more and meet together to pray for our community and plan a way to meet a need in it with other people from our church.

What if we did what Jesus said?  What if we love our neighbor?  I say we find out together.

In His grip, 

Pastor Pat