The Alternative to Fear

Fear is such a powerful emotion in our world today. Fear arises out of our political, economic and social situations…from all sides of the spectrum. Conservatives fear a slide to liberalism. Liberals fear a return to conservatism. Everyone seems to be afraid. But God knew the political, social and economic climate in America in 2016 before He created the world. He has given us an answer to the temptation of fear and we find one of these answers in 2 Timothy 1, verse 7: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Power – it’s easier not to be afraid when you are the biggest one in the fight. I don’t fear losing when I know I’m on the best team. God has given us His power in every situation where we find ourselves; to “win” every time as God defines winning. With God on your side, who can be against you?

Love – I need not fear when I know that God loves me. God’s love prevents Him from every doing anything that is intended to harm me. Yes, we are tested but only out of love. I don’t fear people whom I know genuinely love me. I don’t need to fear even those who don’t love me because I know that God, who does love me, is sovereignly in control of my world.

Sound Mind – As a child many of us feared the monster under the best or in the closet. We don’t do that anymore (at least I hope you don’t) because we have matured. We know there is no such thing as monsters. God has given us the ability to reason and to know truth about who He is and about who we are. This sound mind drives out fear the same way an adult mind no longer fears monsters.

You need not be a slave to fear. When fear creeps into your mind, remember the three words Paul wrote to Timothy: power, love, sound mind…fear can’t breathe in that atmosphere.