Transformed by Love: From Pain to Purpose

Hello Family,

I was nearly forty years old when I realized just how much of my life had been ruled by fear. It shaped everything, my thoughts, my decisions, and my actions. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but what I thought was diligence, togetherness, was fear, and is was behind so many of the choices I made. I lived with a scarcity mindset, always believing we were one crisis away from losing everything. I was anxious in my marriage, half-expecting it to fall apart. I constantly worried about my children, their mental, emotional, and physical well-being; and I carried a deep sense of inadequacy, feeling like I was never enough for the weight I had to bear.

That was life...until I broke.

Eventually, the pressure became too much. I reached the end of myself, and in that desperate place, I cried out to God. And He met me there. Not with instant solutions or dramatic changes but with His presence. As I began to commit to Him, seeking that presence in the smallest ways (like dedicated prayer time or a few quiet moments in His Word), He began to reveal the depth of His unfailing, beautiful love.

It was unlike anything I had ever known, consistent, safe, and completely undeserved.

“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.” (1 John 4:18)

Love That Casts Out Fear

God’s love is not fragile or conditional. It is a powerful, active force that drives out fear, heals deep wounds, and transforms hearts. Slowly, the fear began to fade. As I experienced His love, I started making choices not out of fear, but out of trust, trust in who God is and in the truth that He loves me. That single truth began to reshape everything.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

This is not just a poetic sentiment. It is a promise. I have personally experienced God's restorative love. The love of God is unshakable, and it is our source of freedom, healing, and transformation.

Living in Love: A New Identity

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12–14)

These virtues, compassion, kindness, humility, don’t come naturally. They are the fruit of a life surrendered to God. Trying harder won't get us there. Instead, it begins by focusing on loving God. When our hearts are consumed with Him, He teaches us how to love others, how to become love, just as He is love. Little by little the depth of God's love permeated my marriage, my parenting, and my interactions with others. For the first time in my life I could see how I was becoming more like Christ. Prior to this time, I did not think I could be so loving, so patient, or so joyful.

Let God Do the Heavy Lifting

None of this can be accomplished by human effort alone. So don't focus on what you can't do. Focus on what you can: Love God. When we fix our eyes on Him, He changes us from the inside out. He enables us to love deeply, forgive freely, and live courageously.

Conclusion: Becoming Love

When we spend time beholding the love of God, reading about Jesus, reflecting on His sacrifice, and being overwhelmed by the magnitude of His grace, our hearts naturally begin to respond. We can't help but love Him back. This is where change begins.

Love is not just a feeling, it’s an action too. To love someone means to act in their best interest, to show up for them, to sacrifice. When we love Jesus, we begin to look like Him. His heart becomes our heart. His priorities become our priorities. It is through this love that we are capable of amazing things in the name of Jesus. I was just happy t not be so afraid, but God did not stop there, He gently revealed beliefs and behaviors that i needed to change. I am far from perfect but I feel the conviction of the holy spirit and I have nor just a desire to change but the power to do so in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said:

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

The Greek word for “showing yourselves” can also mean “to arise as” or “to become.” The fruit we bear is not just what we do, it is who we are becoming as we walk with Christ.

In the end, who we love shapes who we are becoming. When we love Jesus, we become love.

So today, choose love. Choose Him. Let His perfect love cast out every fear, mend every wound, and reshape your life into something beautiful.