Snapshot 1: Fear not! 2 Timothy 1:7

 

     With all of the things happening around us in the world today like deception, wars and rumors of wars, pestilences (man caused and natural), the price of everything going up, people and governments getting away with unlawful things, and wondering if we'll ever go back to "normal" it can be very easy to be in a state of fearfulness. The definition of fear is: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. When your life is driven by a spirit of fear it is definitely unpleasant and can make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. As Christians in a world that rejects Jesus Christ, we can get fearful and stressed about  sharing the Gospel or standing for God's Word because the threat or danger of being cancelled and worse.   

     So how do we deal with a spirit of fear? Well, just like the picture above this small finger of a lake is calm and the water is still because of the walls of boulders on each side protecting it, even with a storm above. We too need a protector when we become fearful of the storms that happen in our lives. The only one who can truly protect us from our fears is Jesus Christ and putting our faith and trust in Him! 

     Faith is the opposite of fear. In 2 Timothy 1:7, the Apostle Paul first tells us that God is not the one who gives a spirit of fear. Fear comes when we get into difficult and hard situations that are out of our control. We don't put our full trust and faith in the Lord and rely on Him to get through it. 

     Secondly, he says what God does give us to combat fear is power. The power of the Holy Spirit working through us by prayer and reading God's Word gives us the ability to face our fears . in Ephesians 3:20 it says, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...". God has also given us a spirit of love, a love for God and a love for others. The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear...". 

     Lastly, the Lord gives us a sound mind, which means a mind that is calm and self-controlled. The Bible says "fear not" or something similar 365 times. It's a good reminder for every day of the year! Charles Spurgeon said, “FEAR not” is a plant which grows very plentifully in God’s garden. If you look through the lily beds of Scripture you will continually find by the side of other flowers the sweet “Fear nots” peering out from among doctrines and precepts, even as violets look up from their hiding places of green leaves."  

     We don't have to be afraid or fearful, but we can be strong and have courage if we put our faith and trust in the Lord because He will be with us even though the most difficult times! Joshua 1:9 says, "...Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Picture taken from the Peavine Trail of a finger on Watson Lake. Prescott,AZ 

Camera: Nikon d5300. Lens: Tamron 18mm-400mm 

Camera Settings: f/10, 1/320sec. ISO-400, 26mm focal length