Love vs. Fear: Reclaiming God Beyond Religious Conditioning

Growing up in the church, I was taught to believe in a specific doctrine: confess your sins, believe in God, and accept Jesus into your heart to be saved. If you didn’t follow these steps, you weren’t "right" with God, and the consequence was eternal damnation. As a child, I followed the teachings, but something about it all felt off. How could a loving God create a place like hell? If God was so loving, why were we being taught to live in fear?

These questions stuck with me. I wondered about people in other religions. Were they doomed to the bowels of hell because they hadn’t accepted my God? I was taught that God would present Himself to these people in some way, so they would have a chance to "choose." But there was always a part of me that felt this didn’t sit right. Why was fear of hell such a dominant force in our teachings?

Fear as the Opposite of Love

As I grew older and my spiritual journey expanded, I began to see fear and love as opposites. Fear separates, while love connects. If God is truly love, then there should be no room for fear in our relationship with the Divine. And yet, fear was the very foundation of so many religious teachings I had grown up with. Fear of punishment, fear of hell, fear of not being enough.

This fear-based conditioning is something many of us have experienced in religious environments. The constant emphasis on sin, judgment, and the threat of eternal damnation. But if we truly believe that God is love, then why is fear such a prevalent part of our spiritual teachings? Why is fear used to control behavior, rather than love being used to inspire growth?

Challenging the Concept of Hell

As a child, I questioned how all these people from other cultures and belief systems could be condemned to hell just because they weren’t born into the same religious framework as me. If God is so loving, why would hell even exist? The idea of a loving God sending people to eternal punishment didn’t align with my understanding of love. This started me on a path of questioning the very concept of hell.

What if hell isn’t a place, but a mindset? What if heaven and hell are states we create for ourselves based on how we live and how we think? When we live in fear, guilt, and shame, we are living in hell. We are trapped by our own minds, creating suffering for ourselves. But when we live in love, peace, and acceptance, we are living in heaven. Heaven isn’t something we wait for after we die; it’s something we can experience right now when we align ourselves with love.

Creating Our Own Suffering

Much of the fear we experience, especially in religious settings, comes from focusing on the past, such as guilt, shame, and regret, or from worrying about the future, including fear of judgment, failure, and damnation. We create our own suffering when we live in these states, constantly fearful that we aren’t "good enough" for God or for love.

But love, true unconditional love, has no room for fear. As 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." If God is perfect love, then fear has no place in our relationship with the Divine. Fear is a construct of the ego, a tool used by humans to control and manipulate. When we dissolve fear, we become open to experiencing the true nature of God as one rooted in love rather than punishment.

Heaven and Hell as Mindsets

If heaven and hell aren’t physical places, but states of mind, then the power to experience heaven is in our hands. We create our own heaven or hell based on how we live and think. When we cling to guilt, shame, and fear, we are living in hell. When we release those emotions and embrace love, we create our own heaven.

Psychedelics, in my experience, have been a tool that helped me see this clearly. These substances have the power to dissolve fear and ego, opening up a space where only love remains. In that space, the concept of hell dissolves, and all that’s left is a profound sense of connection to God, the universe, and everything around me. The kingdom of heaven truly is within us, as Luke 17:21 says.

Fear as a Teacher

This isn’t to say that fear doesn’t serve a purpose. Fear can be a teacher if we remain curious. During difficult moments in psychedelic journeys, fear often arises. It can be intense, uncomfortable, and even terrifying. But I’ve learned that those are the moments when the biggest lessons are waiting to be learned. If we stay curious, if we don’t run from the fear, we often find that there’s nothing to fear at all.

In those moments, fear is asking us to let go. To surrender. And once we do, we are met with love, peace, and clarity. The fear wasn’t there to punish us; it was there to show us what we need to release in order to grow. Psychedelics can help guide us through this process, allowing us to face our fears and come out the other side transformed by love.

Moving from Fear to Love

If fear is the opposite of love, then our spiritual journey must be about moving from fear to love. Psychedelics are one tool that can help us on that journey, but they’re not the only one. Whether through prayer, meditation, therapy, or coaching, the goal is the same: to release fear and embrace love.

In my own coaching practice, I help people navigate these fears—whether they’re rooted in religious conditioning, personal trauma, or existential questions. I guide them through the process of letting go of fear so they can experience the love, peace, and connection that is their birthright. I’ve also seen the power of psychedelics in this work, as these substances have a unique ability to dissolve the barriers that fear creates, allowing love to flow freely.

Love Is the Answer

At the end of the day, love is the answer. Fear may be a part of our human experience, but it doesn’t have to define us. If we believe that God is love, then we must also believe that fear has no place in our relationship with the Divine. By letting go of fear and embracing love, we create our own heaven on earth. The journey from fear to love is one that we all must take, and it’s a journey that can transform every aspect of our lives.

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Bio:

Jessica is a certified Transformational Coach and Trip Sitter, specializing in guiding individuals through psychedelic-assisted healing journeys. With a deep understanding of how entheogens can foster spiritual growth, Jessica supports clients in preparing for and integrating these experiences, offering a path toward deeper connection with themselves and God.

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Psychedelics, including psilocybin and ayahuasca, are illegal in many jurisdictions and should only be used in accordance with local laws. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.