April 22, 2020

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” – 2 Timothy 1:7

What are you afraid of? I think we would all like to say that we live our lives free from fear. But if we really look down deep, we will see that there are fears in us that direct our steps and inform our thinking much more than we would like to admit. Those fears can range from a simple worry about what others think of you to serious concerns about sickness and even death. However, regardless of the reasoning behind your fears, the Scripture teaches us that our freedom from fear is not situational. Our peace should not depend on our current circumstances.

When the Apostle Paul penned 2 Timothy 1:7 he was in prison and faced the very real threat of death. In several other passages Paul tells us that hardships await him in every town and he faces death every day; but Paul was not afraid. Why? Because the Spirit of God living in him gave him the opposite of fear – God’s Spirit abiding in the believer results in power, love, and sound judgment. When we give in to fear we allow it to steal those things. Fear makes us feel powerless. Fear keeps us distant from those around us, turns us inward to selfishness, and keeps us from truly loving others. Fear leads to foolish decisions. So, I ask you once again, what are you afraid of? Whatever that thing is, it cannot separate you from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus. And when you walk daily in the Spirit of God, fear has no place in your life.

Powerful, loving, heavenly Father. Fill us with your Spirit. Let our eyes be set on You and nothing else. Fill us with all power, love, and wisdom. In the midst of a broken world that operates with fear as its foundation, let our peace in You be a shining light to all.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon