Motivated by fear

I have been thinking a lot about how "we" respond when motivated by fear. It can prompt us to do all sorts of things we would never do otherwise. My parents told me about an Afghani friend of 4 years in SA who just chased my father away, never to be seen again. He even reminded my dad he could turn him in to the authorities for proselytizing. Fear over his own plight if it were discovered that he had been discussing Christianity in an oppressive muslim world?
Backtrack 60 years. I just finished a book, Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay. It was recommended recently by one of my friends. It is a thought-provoking read. (note: definitely some adult topics addressed and from a non-Christian perspective). It is a historical fiction book that takes place in Paris during WWII. The historical part is the tale of the Vel d'Hiv Roundup that took place in July 1942. This roundup was done by French policemen, under the orders of Gestapo. However, apparently, they rounded up the young children too, not part of orders. There has been criticism toward the French for this. Their actions were deplorable and wrong. Imagine, however, the fear these Frenchmen experienced. Probably the great motivator.
Perhaps this is why I John 4:16-19 says, "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us." Jesus alone provides that perfect love to drive out our fear, enabling us to respond with peace and love in the midst of frightning circumstances. There but for God's grace and love, we could all make those same horrible choices when fear overtakes us.