No Need to Fear!

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

Gracious Savior, we come into Your presence anticipating a word from You; for only Your word brings soothing.  Amen

Perhaps the most harmful quality of fear is that it paralyzes.  It is said that one of the most effective methods a lion uses in catching his prey is by roaring.  The sound of the lion’s roar petrifies its prey.  Now all the lion has to do is claim his victim.  Fear has conquered. 

It is interesting that Peter refers to the devil as “a roaring lion, who walks about seeking whom he may devour.”  Even though Jesus is also referred to as a Lion, He is not known for His roaring.  That is very interesting and also very informative.  The devil’s method is clearly one of coercion, while Christ’s method is one of conviction.  So do not allow yourself to be coerced into feeling fearful!

Notice that God replaces the negativity of fear with tools of empowerment:  power, the ability to do something; the power to overcome.  He adds to our ability the principle of love; a principle so firm and strong that it does not need to be corresponded to, in order to exist.  And finally,  the gift of a sound mind.  And what a gift!  With a sound mind no one can make us believe a lie.  We learn to appreciate the advantage of possessing such a mind as we listen to Paul’s  exclaimation:  “So then, with the mind I serve the law of God…”  How wonderful it is to have a healthy mind, a disciplined mind, with which to submit to  the will of God!  “A mind is [indeed] a terrible thing to waste.”

We need to get this message out to people everywhere.  We need to tell them that they do not have to live in constant fear!  Fear of getting old.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of loneliness.  Fear of leaving our comfort zones.  Fear of excelling.  Fear of no longer being needed.  These fears leave us powerless; they make victims of us!  If we can constantly remind ourselves and others of who is walking about “roaring,” then we stand a fair chance of breaking away from this almost hypnotic state that fear has cast over us.  We can then allow the Lion of the tribe of Judah to rescue us from our enemy, the author of fear, the roaring lion, the devil.

Whenever fear attempts to paralyze you, whatever form that fear may take, remember that the spirit of fear does not come from God, and therefore, you have every right to resist it, and by God’s grace, overcome it, with your God-given power, love, and sound mind.

There is really no need to fear!