SOAP 2 Timothy 1: Fear Not

Fear Not

2 Timothy 1

For God hath not given  us a spirit of fear;  but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

This is one of my favorite verses. One I am reminded of often when I am struggling. Fear seems like a constant in our society today. It is all around us from headlines about war to anxiety about health, relationships, our security and steals our peace. 

For me this verse is a call to action. It is not about living a life without fear, but recognizing the presence of something greater.

A natural fear will cause us to take action and move in a different direction. But an irrational fear is rooted in speculation and not fact, it will cause us to make decisions that can cause more harm than good. The spirit of fear puts shackles on us and enslaves us, it distorts our perception.

This verse is a beacon in the darkness reminding us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, BUT God has given us power. This power is to overcome whatever darkness fear has us in. 

No matter how dark the night is, we can be assured the sun will rise and light will return.  

We need to keep our focus on Him and not the storm.

God has also given us love and a sound mind.

Biblical love compels us to look past ourselves and focus on serving and caring for others. A sound mind is a disciplined mind, to have self control in a negative or difficult situation.

What spirit are you operating in? I know to often for myself I find myself operating out of fear. I am afraid to fail, I’m afraid to disappoint,  I’m afraid of looking foolish. The thing about all of those phrases is I. I’ve made it all about me and not about God. I have put my trust in myself and not God.

Prayer: Jesus thank you for giving me the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Lord reveal to me any fear I may have and help me to get to the root of it so I can overcome it.  Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you that I am a new creature, old things have passed away and all things are become new. In Jesus name, Amen!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and foes, came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident.

Psalms 27:1-3 KJV