When Love Answers the Door
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler
This morning, I was sitting at my usual table at Starbucks, sipping on a tall blonde roast, watching the sunrise cut through the last of the night. One of those quiet starts where the world feels like it’s holding its breath.
I’d already read my morning devotional and spent a while meditating on the verse. Then I checked my email and texts. There was an email from a lady reading my book Caregiving: Biblical Insights From a Caregiver’s Journey. She said it was helping her as she cares for her elderly mother. I said a simple, “Thank you, Jesus” and remembered that this is why I write.
Then I saw a text from a dear friend. Her husband had been admitted to the hospital—again.
And wouldn’t you know it—fear decided to show up.
Not stomping through the front door, no. Fear’s sneakier than that. It crept in on the heels of that text, with a heavy heart and the weight of helplessness. It sneaks in through headlines, old memories you thought you’d buried deep, or that quiet whisper that maybe—just maybe—you’re not enough for the road still ahead.
Fear’s a good liar like that.
It’ll tell you you’re alone. That things won’t get better. That you’ve messed up too much, waited too long, or missed your window. It’s the voice that keeps you up at night and has you second-guessing your reflection in the morning.
But right then—right here at that old Starbucks table—I remembered a verse that always settles me down. The very verse from my devotional. The one God knew I’d need before the sun came up:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment…” — 1 John 4:18 (KJV)
I’ve read that one a thousand times—maybe more. But this morning, it felt like God pulled up a chair beside me and whispered it fresh.
You see, fear doesn’t stand a chance when perfect love walks in. And God’s love? That’s as perfect as it gets. It doesn’t torment or tie knots in your stomach. It doesn’t accuse or tally up your failures. And it sure doesn’t get mad when you’re scared half to death about someone you love.
No, God’s love wraps you up. Settles you down. Reminds you who’s really in control.
So if fear’s been knocking on your door lately—about your health, your spouse’s well-being, your future, your family, or your past—I hope you’ll let Love answer.
God’s still in the business of casting out fear. And He doesn’t need a sermon or a spotlight to do it. Just a heart willing to believe He’s there—even in the quiet, even in the waiting.
I’m learning that again… one sunrise at a time.
Grace and peace,
Jimmie
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