“God hath not given us the spirit of fear…”

2 Timothy 2.7-8

I really needed this reminder on the Thursday morning when I read it!  I’m not normally an anxious person, or very fearful, or “timid”, as the word “fear” here is defined.  But it had been a long week.  Since Sunday morning – the start of my “working week”, I had put in a lot of hours, and now I needed to prepare two sermons for Sunday, and the church bulletin.  I also needed to visit a few people as well as text, email and call several others…

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear…”

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:7-8

God hasn’t given any fear to us… He has given us power, love AND a sound mind so that we can use what He has given us and to get on with the work at hand.

God will help us be to faithful as Christians, and God will help us tell people about Jesus, “the testimony of our Lord”, and then “partake”/be part of the hard times/”afflictions” that come with being a born again Christian.

Such a good reminder!  Such an encouragement to me!

So Christian, let’s go.  Let’s get on with what God has given us to do today… “according to the power of God;”.  The people we will be around need us to be “the Christian”.  Our workmates, our neighbours, our friends need us to have God’s love for them.  Our church and our family need us to have God’s power and a sound mind.  Thank the Lord – He has provided these things for us… and not fear!