Transforming Love: Overcoming Fear Through God's Grace

 

Summary

God is our light, our salvation, and our strong hope—there is truly nothing to fear. The greatness of God is beyond our imagination, and His love is so deep and powerful that it can vanquish our fears and anxieties, filling us with hope and peace even in the most troubling days. Through Jesus Christ, we see the ultimate expression of this love: a love that endures the cross, shame, and death for our sake. The Holy Spirit continues to draw us close, reminding us of truth, comforting us, and cleansing us by grace. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us, transforming us from the inside out.

The call to follow Jesus is simple, yet profound. He calls us out of selfishness and despair, always empowering us with the grace needed to step into the light. Just as children look to their parents for strength and help, we are invited to rely on God’s might and the support of His family, the church. There is nothing we cannot do when God is with us.

This season, we are invited to rediscover a “loving feeling”—toward God, ourselves, and others. The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But to love others well, we must first receive and recognize God’s love for us. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, transformed by the renewing of our minds. The main battle for loving God wholeheartedly is fought in our thoughts: we must replace the world’s way of thinking with God’s truth.

Psalm 103 offers a practical way to do this. The psalmist commands his soul to bless the Lord and not forget His benefits: forgiveness, healing, redemption, and satisfaction. Remembering these gifts tips the scale of our hearts toward love and gratitude. God forgives all our iniquities, heals our diseases (in this life and ultimately in eternity), redeems us from the pits of life, and satisfies us with good things that renew our strength. By mining our lives for these evidences of God’s love—naming them, writing them down, and remembering them daily—we allow truth to replace anxiety and complaint with peace and praise. Loved people become loving people, and our transformed hearts naturally overflow with love for God and others.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Love Transforms Fear and Anxiety
The love of God is not just a comforting idea; it is a powerful reality that can drive out fear and anxiety. When we truly ponder the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the presence of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are filled with hope and peace that surpasses our circumstances. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continual process as we draw near to God and allow His love to shape us. [11:23]

- Following Jesus Is Empowered by Grace, Not Willpower
Jesus’ call to “follow me” is not a demand to muster up strength on our own. He never asks us to leave darkness or despair without also providing the grace and empowerment to do so. When we respond to His voice, we find our souls strengthened and our paths made clear—not by our own effort, but by His sustaining presence. [14:28]

- The Battle for Loving God Begins in the Mind
Romans 12 teaches that transformation starts with the renewing of our minds. The world’s way of thinking often leads us away from wholehearted love for God, but by intentionally recalling God’s mercies and benefits, we align our thoughts with His truth. This mental discipline is the foundation for presenting our lives as living sacrifices and loving God with all that we are. [20:02]

- Remembering God’s Benefits Fuels Gratitude and Love
Psalm 103 instructs us to “forget not all His benefits”—forgiveness, healing, redemption, and satisfaction. By actively naming and remembering the specific ways God has shown us love, we tip the scales of our hearts toward gratitude and away from complaint or doubt. This practice is not just for our own encouragement; it is the soil in which genuine love for God grows. [25:15]

- Eternal Perspective Changes How We See Healing and Redemption
God’s promises of healing and redemption are not limited to this life. While we may not always see physical healing or immediate deliverance from every pit, God’s timeline is eternal. The ultimate healing and satisfaction await us in His presence, and even now, He renews our strength and redeems our lowest moments, giving us glimpses of His goodness that sustain us through every season. [32:04]

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Rediscovering a Loving Feeling

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)
> Bless the Lord, O my soul,
> and all that is within me,
> bless his holy name!
> Bless the Lord, O my soul,
> and forget not all his benefits,
> who forgives all your iniquity,
> who heals all your diseases,
> who redeems your life from the pit,
> who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
> who satisfies you with good
> so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
> I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 103, what specific “benefits” does the psalmist tell his soul not to forget?
2. According to Romans 12:1-2, what is the connection between God’s mercy and how we are to live?
3. The sermon described how the psalmist “commands his soul” to bless the Lord. What does this look like in the passage? [[21:37]]
4. What are some of the ways the sermon described God’s healing and redemption, both in this life and in eternity? [[32:04]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the psalmist needs to remind himself to “forget not all his benefits”? What does this suggest about human nature and our relationship with God? [[25:15]]
2. The sermon said, “The main battle about loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind is really found in our mind.” How does renewing our mind help us love God more fully? [[20:02]]
3. The pastor shared that God’s healing and redemption are not always immediate or physical, but sometimes emotional or eternal. How does having an eternal perspective change the way we see God’s work in our lives? [[32:04]]
4. The sermon mentioned that “loved people become loving people.” How does experiencing God’s love personally affect the way we love others? [[42:16]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “mine our lives” for evidence of God’s love—naming, writing down, and remembering them daily. What is one specific way you can practice this in your daily routine this week? [[44:21]]
2. When you think about your own life, where have you experienced God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, or satisfaction? Can you share a specific example with the group? [[25:15]]
3. The pastor said, “The only thing that stops us from coming to God is us, that God has already given us amnesty for all of our sins.” Are there areas of shame or guilt that keep you from drawing near to God? What would it look like to bring those to Him? [[27:38]]
4. The sermon talked about the importance of renewing our minds and replacing the world’s way of thinking with God’s truth. What is one thought pattern or belief you want to surrender to God for renewal? [[20:02]]
5. The pastor described how God’s love can drive out fear and anxiety. Is there a fear or anxiety you are facing right now? How might remembering God’s love and presence help you respond differently? [[11:23]]
6. The sermon encouraged us to rely on God’s strength and the support of His family, the church. Is there a challenge you are facing where you need to ask for help—from God or from others in the church? [[15:52]]
7. The “homework” was to make a list of God’s benefits in your life and read it each morning. What do you hope might change in your heart or attitude if you commit to this practice for a week? [[44:21]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to thank God for one specific benefit or evidence of His love in their lives, and to ask for help in loving Him and others more deeply this week.

Devotional

Day 1: Presenting Ourselves as Living Sacrifices

To truly love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, we are called to offer our whole selves to Him, not just in word but in every aspect of our lives. This means allowing God’s mercy to transform us, resisting the patterns of the world, and letting our minds be renewed by His truth. The journey of loving God wholeheartedly begins in our thoughts, as we intentionally choose to align our reality with God’s reality, making space for His love to shape our desires and actions. [20:02]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have been holding back from God? How can you intentionally offer that part of yourself to Him today as an act of worship?


Day 2: Blessing the Lord with All That Is Within Us

The psalmist models a life that blesses God by commanding his soul—his mind, will, and emotions—to glorify the Lord in all things. Blessing God means living in such a way that brings Him joy, delight, and honor, just as we feel blessed when others show us kindness and love. When we make it our mission to live for God’s pleasure, we lift the weight from His heart and fill our lives with purpose, aiming to bring Him joy in every thought, word, and deed. [21:37]

Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!"

Reflection: In what specific ways can you bless God with your actions and attitudes today, so that your life brings Him joy?


Day 3: Remembering God’s Benefits—Forgiveness, Healing, and Redemption

God’s love is made tangible in the countless ways He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, and redeems us from the pits of life. When we recall the times God has opened the door of forgiveness, restored our bodies and emotions, and lifted us from despair, our hearts are moved to love Him more deeply. Naming and remembering these benefits tips the scale of our hearts toward gratitude and trust, helping us to see that God’s love is steadfast and His grace is always available, no matter our failures or circumstances. [28:49]

Psalm 103:2-4 (ESV)
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy."

Reflection: Make a list of specific times when God has forgiven, healed, or redeemed you—how does remembering these moments change your perspective on His love today?


Day 4: Satisfied and Renewed by God’s Goodness

God not only rescues and forgives but also satisfies us with good things, renewing our strength and joy like the eagle’s. Whether through friendships, moments of laughter, beauty in creation, or unexpected blessings, God’s goodness is woven throughout our lives. When we intentionally look for and name these gifts, our hearts are refreshed, and we find ourselves renewed in spirit, able to love God and others with greater passion and gratitude. [42:16]

Psalm 103:5 (ESV)
"Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

Reflection: What is one good thing—big or small—that God has given you recently? How can you thank Him for it and let it renew your spirit today?


Day 5: Cultivating a Heart of Thanksgiving and Praise

A heart that remembers God’s benefits becomes a heart full of thanksgiving, praise, and love. As we daily recount the ways God has shown us grace, our anxieties are replaced by peace, and our complaints by worship. This practice not only transforms our own hearts but also becomes a witness to others, as the joy and contentment we experience point to the hope we have in Christ. By shaping our minds and hearts with gratitude, we move closer to loving God with all that we are. [49:43]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Set aside 15 minutes today to write down as many ways as you can remember that God has shown you love and goodness—how does this practice affect your sense of peace and gratitude?

Quotes

And so when we come to Christ, and we have given our life to Christ, all our sins, past, present, and future, have been, God chooses to forgive them all. And so the only thing that stops us from coming to God is us, that God has already given us amnesty for all of our sins. And the fact that we don't earn it or deserve it, but just as we come near to him, we don't get the frown, we get the embrace, like the prodigal son. [00:27:26] (36 seconds)  #ForgivenAndEmbraced Edit Clip

And yet God has chosen in Christ to forgive us, to not look at our broken parts and just shun us, but he receives us. And so he asks his soul, remember that. And it's like there's this scale in his heart, you know? And it's like he's saying, you've got to remember in your heart, you have to mind your life, and you've got to remember all the benefits. Remember the places where he loves me. And start to, like, get all of that on the scale of your heart. Like, start to define all the places where you know he loves you. Like, name it, and put it in your heart, and allow that scale to tip. [00:28:26] (49 seconds)  #RememberGodsLove Edit Clip

See, God's timeline is eternity. And so God promises to heal us. And I, and I know that people that come forward may not be healed of the cancer, right? But I'll guarantee that 90 % of the people, or maybe 95, or maybe 99 % of the people, when they're being prayed over, that anxiety about the cancer is lifted in measure. And that's healing. And so God heals us in, in lots of different ways. Not only our body, but our, our emotions. And so we can come to God with all those traumas that we've had and ask God to heal us of those memories, of that pain, of that difficulty. Places where we have been abandoned or forsaken, betrayed. We can come and confess them and to each other and there's healing. [00:32:04] (60 seconds)  #PeaceBeyondTheSting Edit Clip

Our last breath on this earth will be followed by our first breath in heaven. That, that Jesus, the scriptures say that there's no more sting in death and that we're on our deathbed. When we're filled with anxiety, we should pray and God will give us peace. And if you don't have peace that way, then you ask some other people to pray for you until you have peace. [00:33:56] (21 seconds)  #GraceFingerprintsInLife Edit Clip

When you're at your worst point in your deepest pit, God jumps right in and lifts you up. He redeemed me from all of my pits. [00:38:46] (16 seconds)  #SeeGodsLoveEverywhere Edit Clip

If you look back to your life, especially after the pit, God is throwing goodness. He's satisfied. There's a satisfaction of that, and then our youth is renewed, and we get that loving feeling again, and so for our mind to be transformed, we have to kind of look for the fingerprints of God's grace over our life. [00:41:47] (28 seconds)  #FaithFindsGoodness Edit Clip

It's like when you buy a car, and you never saw that car before, like rarely, you know, and then as soon as you buy it, it's everywhere. You never saw that color before? No, it's everywhere, and that's what the psalmist is saying, saying, bless the Lord, oh my soul, all that is within me. Like, think about all the places, like every time you go to God, and you feel connection, it's because he's forgiven you. Think about all the times that you're sick, and the reason why you, he's healing you. Think about all the places where you're in the pit, and you're living, he's redeeming you. Think about every meal that you've enjoyed, every friendship that's satisfying, everything that is good, any kind of joy, it's, he's satisfying you with good things. Like, think about all these things, and then all of a sudden you realize, he loves me. [00:42:16] (52 seconds)  #LoveHealsAnxiety Edit Clip

And we transform our heart to wanting to love God back when our mind is transformed. And so it takes a bit of faith to say, okay, I'm going to exercise myself in mining my life for...these good things because i'm in faith believing that they're there and they are there they'll be found and as you do all of a sudden you no longer have to want to love god you actually do love god and you want to do good for god because you know he's done good for you loved people want to love people. [00:43:22] (44 seconds)  #RememberGodsBenefits Edit Clip

Reason why, um, when you know God loves you the way that God actually loves you, anxiety is gone, peace is established, love people have the greatest joy. Jesus says the truth will set you free and somehow we have to wrestle that truth down into our heart and our soul and by naming it and then by remembering it day after day it starts to deal with that other coded, uh, um, bit of code in our system and it's replaced by what is true. [00:45:12] (48 seconds)  #StrengthToLoveMore Edit Clip