Devotionals by Dr. M. Craig Barnes
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
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When children are really frightened, they don't use a lot of words. They just cry out for the nearest parent and run into those arms. There they find their reassurance that all is well. Similarly when we are scared, we just have to cry, "Abba! Father!" We don't really need more words because, well, what would we tell him he doesnąt already know?
Once frightened, hurt children get into their parents' laps, it isn't long before they stop thinking about their skinned knees or whatever it is that has frightened them. Now all their attention is on that parent who is gently holding them. The parent may even kiss the boo to make it all better, but even kids know that kisses don't really heal wounds. Still, it somehow feels better. Why? Because love is stronger than fear and hurt.
The Heavenly Father doesn't take away all the things in the world that make you afraid, but he does always hold his arms out to you. To get into those arms all you have to do is cry out, "Abba! Father!" Soon you'll find you are thinking more about the Father's love than the things that frighten you. That's because only in his arms do you find perfect love. And perfect love casts out fear.
-- Craig Barnes