Fear Be Gone!

Mar 8 2024 - Eric Buresh

Tossing restlessly, sleeping fitfully, I was annoyed with myself. Setting aside the annoyance of trying to force sleep (which only makes it worse), I realized the root cause was fear. I was feeling anxious about a future event. Lord, give me a verse to remind me of the Truth and He did: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (I couldn’t remember the address for this amazing verse in the middle of the night, but in the morning, I looked it up -- 2 Timothy 1:7). 

As I started to fall back to sleep, the Spirit freed me with this verse. What a liberating revelation it is for every child of God! In a world often paralyzed by fear and uncertainty, we can stand on the firm foundation of a promise: the Almighty has gifted us a spirit that is not shackled by fear but is, instead, adorned with power, love, and a sound mind. 

The divine exchange is clear: fear has no long term place in the hearts of those who are called according to His purpose. The spirit of fear is banished, cast away by the sovereign hand of God, and in its place, we receive a spirit of power. It is not a power rooted in the world's might or influence, but a supernatural, divine power that flows from the very heart of the Creator. 

This power is not for self-aggrandizement or earthly gain, but for the proclamation of the Gospel, for acts of compassion, and for the courageous living out of our faith. It is a power that enables us to overcome the trials that beset us, to stand firm in the face of adversity, and to be ambassadors of Christ in a world desperate for the light of His love. 

Linked inextricably with this divine power is love. The love we receive from our Heavenly Father and the love we then extend to others is a transformative force. It conquers hate, dispenses forgiveness, dispels darkness, and binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted. As vessels of God's love, we become conduits of His grace, shining beacons in a world hungering for the warmth of genuine, agape (sacrificial) love. 

And what of a sound mind? In a world where chaos often reigns, we are gifted with clarity of thought, wisdom from above that guides our decisions and actions. This is not a mind clouded by confusion or swayed by the ever-changing opinions of the world, but a mind anchored in the truth of God's Word — a mind renewed by the Spirit. 

If you are struggling with fear as I often do, let this truth sink deep into the recesses of your heart: you are not a slave to fear, but a vessel of divine power, love, and a sound mind. As we navigate the challenges of life, let the Spirit within you be a wellspring of courage, compassion, and discernment. 

May the words of 2 Timothy 1:7 be a constant reminder that you are equipped, empowered, and entrusted with a spirit that transcends every limitation of this world.