God’s Power For Us Over Fear (Pt. 1)

I enjoy the beauty of this Fall season with its vivid colors, spicy scents, and comfort food. It ushers in a new season of change and reminds us that even though the seasons change, God never does. This is a great source of security to all who trust in the Lord.

Yet, there are numerous individuals who look forward to Halloween, haunted houses, decorations and movies that produce fear in the observer. They desire thrillers that cause their hearts to beat uncontrollably in their chests. Media together with the stores market items to make them afraid and fearful. Live long enough and life itself will produce situations that can make an individual afraid and fearful.

Have you ever found yourself afraid of what might happen next? Maybe you are facing a difficult situation, a major decision, an uncertain future, a relationship problem, financial concerns, or simply something you cannot control. Fear can enter our minds so quickly that before we realize it, we are allowing fear to dictate our thoughts, our emotions, and even our decisions. If you have ever experienced this, you are not alone. One of the most encouraging Scriptures for believers who are battling fear is 2 Timothy 1:7:

“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 NKJV

But what does 2 Timothy 1:7 really mean? This verse is much more than a Scripture to memorize when we are afraid. It reminds us of what God has provided for us through the Holy Spirit and how we can choose to live when fear tries to control us.

God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

Let’s begin with the first part of the verse: “God has not given us a spirit of fear.” Notice that Paul does not say that believers will never experience fear. There will be circumstances in life that make us afraid. There will be moments when we don’t know what is going to happen. There may be times when our emotions become overwhelming. The presence of fear does not mean that you have failed God. The important question is: What are you going to do with that fear?

Fear can become a controlling force if we allow it to determine how we think and behave. We can begin imagining everything that could go wrong. We can replay conversations in our minds. We can become consumed with “what if?”

What if I fail?

What if they reject me?

What if God doesn’t answer my prayer?

What if my circumstances don’t change?

Fear wants us to focus on the problem instead of the God who is greater than the problem. God’s Word calls us to do something different. We must learn to recognize fear without allowing fear to become our master.

God Gives Us Power

The second part of 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us power. This is important because God never intended for us to live powerless Christian lives. The power Paul is describing is not simply human strength or the ability to force ourselves through difficult circumstances. Our strength comes from God.

There are situations you may encounter where you can honestly say, “I don’t know how I’m going to do this.” That may actually be the place where you discover that you don’t have to do it in your own strength. God’s power enables us to continue when we feel weak. It gives us the ability to stand when circumstances tell us to quit. It helps us obey God when obedience is difficult. It helps us forgive when our flesh wants to hold onto hurt. It helps us love when loving someone is challenging. It helps us continue walking by faith when we cannot see what is ahead.

Remember what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9: God’s grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in weakness. You don’t have to pretend that you are strong enough for everything. Instead, learn to depend upon the One who is.

God Gives Us Love

Then Paul says that God has given us love. At first, you might wonder what love has to do with fear. Actually, there is a very important connection. First John 4:18 teaches that perfect love casts out fear. When we understand God’s love for us, we don’t have to live constantly afraid of being abandoned, rejected, or forgotten by Him. God’s love gives us security. It reminds us that our relationship with Him is not based upon our ability to control everything. We can trust Him because of who He is. Love also changes how we respond to other people.

Fear can make us defensive.

Fear can make us suspicious.

Fear can cause us to withdraw.

Fear can make us react instead of respond.

But love causes us to consider how our actions affect others. When fear says, “Protect yourself,” love can say, “Trust God and respond according to His Word.”

This is why faith, hope, and love are so important in our Christian walk. Our blog recently explored how these three work together: faith helps us trust God, hope helps us hold onto His promises, and love gives us a way to live out what God is doing through us.

God Gives Us a Sound Mind

The final phrase of 2 Timothy 1:7 says “a sound mind.”

Other translations use expressions such as self-control or sound judgment. This is especially important because fear often begins in our thoughts. Something happens externally, and then our minds begin interpreting what happened. One thought leads to another. Before long, our emotions can become stronger than the original circumstance. This is why we cannot ignore what is happening in our minds.

A sound mind does not mean that you never have negative thoughts. It means you don’t have to allow every thought to control you. You can stop spiraling downward because of your thoughts. You can examine the thought. You can compare it with God’s Word. You can pray. You can choose to respond according to truth instead of reacting according to fear.

Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process. Every day we have opportunities to bring our thoughts back under the authority of God’s Word. TWM’s mission is centered on helping women become renewed in their minds through God’s eternal Word and to learn how to apply biblical principles to everyday life.

We have just begun this discussion. In the next two blogs released each Friday, I will share how to practically use these three in your life to overcome fear. Please mark your calendars to join me. Have a blessed week.