Facing Your Fear

"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

The senior adult lady had gone to bed for the evening. She wasn't quite asleep when she heard a noise at her window. Every few minutes she would hear that noise again. She imagined someone trying to break into her house. She didn't know what to do. Finally, she decided to quietly look for the flashlight. Then, she pulled the curtains open, flashing the light out the window. She saw something move that frightened her, but then she realized that the wind was blowing a tree limb against the window. She faced her fear and it was gone.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to a discouraged young preacher by the name of Timothy. That letter in the New Testament is referred to as Second Timothy. He reminded Timothy that a spirit of fear does not come from God. To the contrary, God offers us the power of love to produce a sound mind. Timothy was bothered by fear, and he was discouraged to the point of giving up his ministry. Paul prayed for Timothy night and day (2 Tim. 1:3). He was praying for him that God would give Timothy understanding to overcome his fear (2 Timothy 2:7). The sure way to overcome fear is through God's perfect love. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment" (1 John 4:18).

What is your greatest fear? Does it cause you to sometime have tormenting thoughts? Just remember, that fear did not come from God. He loves you and wants you to experience His great love that casts out all fear. Perhaps, someone you love is bothered by fear. Anyone who is tormented by fear can find freedom through God's love. It comes through believing God's love for us in Christ (John 3:16). Scripture gives us assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39). Ask God to fill your life with His love. "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5). Face your fear with God's love.

Prayer: Father, we receive Your great love for us through Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with Your love to defeat all of our fears, in Jesus name. Amen.