But if we are to chase the elephant of fear out of our churches, we must allow God to face it down through the power of his love. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of love, of power, and of a strong mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). If we are to face down the elephant of fear, we must do it by absorbing God’s forgiveness. “Perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18).