For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind– 2 Timothy 1:7
Fearfulness does not come from God. As children of God, who believe in the perfection and power of Jesus Christ, we don’t need to worry about the future, or fret over circumstances, or be anxious about what others may think.
Rather, Paul reminds us, we are to rely upon the power and love and mental soundness that we are granted by God. This is the only way to make God-honoring, God-directed decisions.
In Christ, we know that we will be granted the strength to do anything that He requires of us. Out of love for Christ—and through Him to others—we must be willing to do whatever tends to His glory and their good. And with careful, thoughtful discipline we should therefore chart the course that He directs.
It is so easy to crumble because of conflict, or to surrender because of our situation, or to be paralyzed because of possible problems. But through his admonition to timid Timothy, Paul confronts our natural fearfulness and exhorts us to courageously make wise decisions, out of love for God.
Which paradigm best describes your decision making? Are you most concerned about financial security, or social approval, or selfish pleasure? Or are you walking in paths that are guided by the power of the Spirit, motivated by a love for Christ, and carefully chosen according to faith? (Baptist Bible Hour)
