A Spirit of Fear
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind!"
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Studies say that the average American is more stressed out than ever. Levels of fear (both rational and irrational) have risen steadily in the average person since the 1950's. As a society, we are generally anxious, fearful, panicky, worried, harried, frazzled, and stressed out to the max!
The most disturbing thing about that is that results of these studies don't change much when you only consider those who claim regular church attendance. In other words, we as Christians don't seem to be much different than the world when it comes to worry and fear.
But God doesn't want us to live that way.
I am a person that struggles with panic attacks. My source is primarily claustrophobia, but it can manifest in other ways as well. My root cause is likely biological and genetic as many in my immediate family also suffer from various forms of anxiety disorders, and I am on medication to help counteract these effects.
Nonetheless, I am responsible for how I perceive, digest, internalize, and act upon the world I am in. I need to be reminded that this "spirit of fear" that I sometimes find myself in the grips of does not come from God. If it does not come from God, it is a reasonable logical conclusion that the converse must be true – I.E. it must come from the devil!
I don't want to live my life according to Satan's terms!
While there's strength enough in the revelation found in the first part of this verse, God graciously continues to tell us that what we do receive from Him includes POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND mind.
Wow.
With all of that to rely upon – what have I to fear? If God is for us, who can be against us? I am MORE than a conqueror in Jesus' Name! Worry won't add a single hair to my quickly balding head – so, I'm going to trust in God with all my heart and leave "life" to Him and His capable hands!
"Father God,
Cause 2 Timothy to become more than just a memory verse – cause it to become my life's testimony in everything I think, say, and do.
In Jesus' Name – AMEN!"
Hope you have a great week – I can't wait to see what He'll do THIS Sunday!
Pastor Howie
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Studies say that the average American is more stressed out than ever. Levels of fear (both rational and irrational) have risen steadily in the average person since the 1950's. As a society, we are generally anxious, fearful, panicky, worried, harried, frazzled, and stressed out to the max!
The most disturbing thing about that is that results of these studies don't change much when you only consider those who claim regular church attendance. In other words, we as Christians don't seem to be much different than the world when it comes to worry and fear.
But God doesn't want us to live that way.
I am a person that struggles with panic attacks. My source is primarily claustrophobia, but it can manifest in other ways as well. My root cause is likely biological and genetic as many in my immediate family also suffer from various forms of anxiety disorders, and I am on medication to help counteract these effects.
Nonetheless, I am responsible for how I perceive, digest, internalize, and act upon the world I am in. I need to be reminded that this "spirit of fear" that I sometimes find myself in the grips of does not come from God. If it does not come from God, it is a reasonable logical conclusion that the converse must be true – I.E. it must come from the devil!
I don't want to live my life according to Satan's terms!
While there's strength enough in the revelation found in the first part of this verse, God graciously continues to tell us that what we do receive from Him includes POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND mind.
Wow.
With all of that to rely upon – what have I to fear? If God is for us, who can be against us? I am MORE than a conqueror in Jesus' Name! Worry won't add a single hair to my quickly balding head – so, I'm going to trust in God with all my heart and leave "life" to Him and His capable hands!
"Father God,
Cause 2 Timothy to become more than just a memory verse – cause it to become my life's testimony in everything I think, say, and do.
In Jesus' Name – AMEN!"
Hope you have a great week – I can't wait to see what He'll do THIS Sunday!
Pastor Howie
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