God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love.
The fear you feel isn't from God — and the power he gave is meant to replace it.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Not of fear' — fear is not your native spiritual state.
- 02'Power' is ability to do what he's called you to do.
- 03'Love' is the motive that replaces self-protection.
- 04'Self-control' is the discipline to act despite fear.
Read along.
2 Timothy 1:7 — 'For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.' Paul writes this to a young leader who is visibly timid. Timothy isn't lacking talent. He's lacking courage.
'Not of fear.' This doesn't mean you'll never feel afraid. It means fear is not the Spirit's product in you. Fear comes from threat. The Spirit comes from God. They're different sources.
'Power' is the ability to do what you've been called to do. Not power to dominate. Power to obey. Power to speak. Power to stay when everything says run.
'Love' is the replacement for self-protection. Fear makes you hoard. Love makes you spend yourself. And 'self-control' is the disciplined mind that chooses power and love even when fear is loud.
So if fear is running your decisions today, name it. Then remind yourself: this is not from God. What is from God is power, love, and a sound mind. Choose those instead.