GOD’S POWER OVER FEAR
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Are you afraid of failing at something, afraid you’re not good enough, so you’re extra cautious? I quit my 7th-grade basketball team because I thought I wasn’t good enough and missed the fun of playing basketball.
The fear of what people might think or the feeling, but what if I fail or don’t do it right? This is not from God. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity.
That fear either comes from the fact that you’re trusting in someone or something other than God, or it’s coming from your mind or someone else, but it is not from God.
Though God has not given us the spirit of fear, He knows that fear is very real for us, and He has given us some things to counteract our fear.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but if we trust our lives to Jesus, He has placed the Holy Spirit in us and given us a spirit of power. We have the power to overcome any fear, but the question is: Am I trusting His power or my own power?
It’s okay to admit your fear and weakness because then you’re more likely to trust the power of Christ to work through you.
God is the most powerful being in the universe, so I’ll trust Him to take care of me and work through me. Even though I tell myself that, it’s possible that I may still feel fear. So, even in my fear, I can ask His power to be strong in my weakness.
APPLICATION: Ask God to show you where you are afraid of failing.
PRAYER: Father, remind me of who You are. Show me the steps You want me to take today, and help me rely on Your power instead of my strength.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?