For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. 1 John 4:18 (AMPC)
When it comes down to it, fear is just negative meditation. It’s simply the result of holding a negative picture in your heart.
When you continually picture things, you don’t want to happen, all the emotions involved with that picture course through you. These emotions bring torment according to 1 John 4:18 (NKJV). However, fear can only torment you if you maintain the fear-filled picture.
For example, if you receive a cancer diagnosis, you may begin to see yourself lying on a hospital bed filled with pain. You might picture your family gathered around your bed and you may wonder what your spouse is going to do when you’re gone.
If you’re afraid of losing your marriage, your heart may picture your spouse angry, walking out and leaving you alone. Every morning you picture yourself alone and broken; the vision seems to jump into your mind, accompanied by tormenting feelings.
You have a choice. These negative meditations try to replace pictures of health, joy, laughter and all the good things God promises you, but you don’t have to let them. You can intentionally plant God’s promises in your mind and heart.
If a fear-based picture pushes at your mind today, don’t give it the time of day. Refuse to talk about the worst-case scenario. Instead, think and talk about what it’s going to be like when you have all that God says you can have.