"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment" (1 John 4:17-18). That word "love" is agape.

Why are there some who are baptized who still experience doubts about their baptism and thus have inner torment? Usually it is because they have never really felt "accepted" at home, in school or in the Church. These are all real feelings some people have. They must be understood and overcome.

We may also have the notion that nothing we can do is good enough for God and that He has so much glory and power that He surely would not have time for us. These thoughts stir up concerns, doubts and fears. How can we come before God with the boldness spoken of in Hebrews 4:16 when we are riddled with such doubts? The answer is that we really cannot, and so we need to tackle those doubts.

Understanding what and who God is will help us greatly. Knowing Him as a loving and forgiving Father does help us comprehend the meaning of agape love. That is what He is. Anyone who is a parent understands the strong and almost unreasonable love parents have for their children. God has much more love for us than any parent.

It always boils down to trusting God and believing Him. Another way of thinking about this is that we need to have faith. Faith is hope that exists even when things seem unclear and impossible. Knowing God is a key to having faith.

God did not intend us to have torment and He has developed His plan of salvation, which is designed to remove that burden. If we experience great doubts about God and His love for us, it will affect out prayers and our spiritual lives. We will tend to pray with less confidence and begin to believe God does not hear our prayers.

God took great pains to ensure that the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were all carefully documented. He wants us to have confidence in that gift of life that He offers.

He has taken the responsibility of calling to repentance those who He sees will listen and obey. He cleanses us with the blood of Christ and gives His Holy Spirit to be our constant reminder that we are His children. He even writes our names in His book of life. God has done everything that He can possibly do to reassure us of His love and forgiveness. He has taken the steps to erase human inner torment, and the rest is up to us.

We need to display and develop faith and trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We need to confront our fears and understand how events of the past have left us scarred. We need to learn to love God. When we struggle with all of that and truly put our noses to the grindstone, we will find that inner torment will be a thing of the past.

We can then boldly come into His presence, walk with confidence and hold the hand of our loving Father, just as a child trustingly holds the hand of his or her parent. God is the greatest, the best, the most loving parent of all time. Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Come, and your inner torment will flee.