Because He lives…all fear is gone!

2 Timothy 1:5-10

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

We all have fears. Maybe it was fear of the dark. Fear of driving at night. Fear of being home alone. Fear of what might happen to our children. Fear of a terrorist attack. Fear of flying. Fear of snakes.

We all have fears, but our God does not want us to live in fear. Paul is writing to his protégé Timothy in our passage. Timothy has the tough task of being a young pastor leading a church in Ephesus. Paul encourages him with this truth: God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Many of you live under the crippling fear of what could, would, or might happen. God does not want you to be a slave to fear, but a son or daughter living in freedom!

Consider today where you are living with a spirit of fear rather than power.
What does living in power, love, and self-control actually mean for today?