“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Are you ever afraid? Sounds like something you’d ask a child who is scared of the dark but it’s a question that’s very relevant to us! The other night I found myself laying in bed afraid of my children’s future, my health and the health of my baby among other things. I needed to remind myself that the source of that kind of fear was not of the Lord.
Timothy tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear–some translations say timidity–but of power, love and a sound mind. The legal definition of a sound mind is “having the capacity to think, reason, and understand for oneself.” Fear can drive us to the opposite side of those rational actions. It can hinder us from thinking clearly and understanding what God’s true desires are for us. Fear causes us to hide from what we’re afraid of instead of facing it with the strength and power of the Lord.
This doesn’t mean that we will never again be afraid. It’s in our human nature to worry and assume the worst. But those feelings are not from God, but instead from the devil. The devil is, “not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
When I am afraid, I think the best solution is to pray it through and look to God’s Word for His reassurances and comforts.
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.” Exodus 14:13
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear.” Psalm 56:3-4
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Take confidence in God’s promises and leave your fears in the Lord’s hands.
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2 Comments on Fear
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Thanks for sharing those verses Cheryl, praise God for His care and comfort for us!
You are so right when fear grips us the best place we can turn is the Lord. On probably the scariest night of our lives my husband prayed and randomly opened the Bible and read Psalm 68 19-20
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
That night we were unsure if our one son was going to live or die, that verse gave such comfort and peace. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of who to turn to when we are afraid.
Blessings!