but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7
Darkness terrified me as a child. Plumping my courage I would enter a dark room and shout, “Get out of here!” At bedtime my door remained open for the lighted hallway to pierce the darkness. My patient babysitter sat by my bedside until sleep visited. The weird part of this childhood experience was that in the recesses of my child’s mind I knew I had nothing to fear.
As I grew older I beaome aware of “legitimate” fears. But, fear is systemic and like a rash that starts small within a short period it can spread. If left untreated it soon becomes the focus of one’s existence. And “existence” is what it is because fear is a robber of life.
Given the circumstances of conflict and persecution for Timothy no wonder Paul reminds him that fear is not a gift from God. It is a burden that isn't mine to carry! Instead He freely gives antidotes for fear—power, love and self-control. When I embrace these it's just like shouting “Get out of here!”
Thia power comes when I believe that God is present, no matter the circumstances—if God is for me who can be against me! Love for others, my life, my circumstances takes shape when I allow myself to be enveloped in God’s loving embrace. God has not asked me to be in “control” of anything. It goes against my grain nevertheless daily I work on self-control - believing that God has it all under control.
Loving God, forgive me for the numerous times I allow fear
to spread over my life. It has controlled my thoughts
and my actions for too long.
I need Your antidotes of power, love and self-control.
Amen.
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