Devotional Thoughts: Fear & Anxiety

I like how the Amplified Bible translates this verse:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

‭‭2 TIMOTHY‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭AMP

I’m reminded the Scripture tells us not to be afraid numerous times throughout, around 365 times. That’s one verse for every day of the year. We live in a time period stricken with anxiety. Some cannot even function their anxiety is so high. This is not God’s plan for us. God will give us the power we need to cast fear aside. God desires this for us. Fear cripples and disengages us from what God has planned.

Stories of incredible courage inspire us. People of faith who went against the grain to hide slaves as they traveled the Underground Railroad on their way to freedom, people who hid Jews during the time of the Holocaust, and today those who choose to help the vulnerable even if it might affect their job or family are examples to us of casting out fear and following God’s plan. If we cower in fear the enemy wins. The enemy’s job is to make us ineffective.

This verse also is a reminder today that we are to be a people of self-discipline. God is a God of order not of chaos. God brings order into our lives when we invite Him in. Some things we are to give to God so we cannot be crippled by them. Some days I give certain people back to God because I need to release whatever situation I’m in to God and allow Him to handle it. If I seek to control things I will fail over and over. Trust means I’m not in control, God is.

The term self-discipline has a negative connotation in our culture. Discipline insinuates I’m in trouble and have done something wrong. Self-discipline actually produces the things above the Amplified Bible states: calm and a well-balanced mind. Who doesn’t want that? I know I do! A calm, well-balanced person doesn’t get rocked by much. It’s a tool for success in all areas of life.

May God grant us all a spirit of love, sound judgment, power and self-discipline today. May we cast out fears in Jesus name and give them all to God, the sustainer and giver of life. Without this we are all crippled in one way or another.