Verse

2 Timothy 1:7  (AGAIN!)
God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control (in some translations: sound mind).

Thoughts

Yes I know I used this verse yesterday – but it’s so good! Let’s talk about it again! You know when people look at kids and they say, “You got your eyes from your mom!” or “Your sense of humor – that comes from your dad!” Well, as a parent, there are also times where I’ve said (or at least thought), “Where in the world did they get that?!?!” Like when my kids were younger and they shied away from competition – I was thinking, “Who’s kids ARE these??”

This is what I was thinking about yesterday after I wrote the last encouragement. “God DID NOT GIVE us a spirit that makes us afraid” — So WHERE DID WE GET IT FROM??? If God didn’t GIVE us a spirit of fear – then when we embrace fear, when we embrace anxiety, or worry – we are choosing to TAKE fear upon ourselves. Rather than RECEIVE what God gives us (love, power, and peace of mind) we are TAKING fear upon myself and suffering the consequences!

I find this to be so true in my life. When I am really struggling with anxiety, it is so obviously not what God has for me. It is NOT a gift from him. And I am clearly not RECEIVING what he DOES have for me. Instead, I have (often because of my lack of trust IN him) taken fear ONTO myself.

Realizing this gives me hope! One tool I can use to overcome fear and anxiety is to say to myself – “This is not from God, I’m going to PUT IT BACK DOWN, and receive what he wants to give me – love, power, and peace of mind.” Instead of carrying the weight of anxiety, I can choose (using the many tools I use) to put it down. It is a great reminder for me – This isn’t from God! God doesn’t give a spirit that makes me afraid. So I must have gotten this from somewhere else! TIME TO PUT IT DOWN.

Prayer

God I pray that today if I encounter anxiety or fear, I would realize that it is not from you. You didn’t give it to me. So I don’t want to keep it. Help me to daily lay it back down, and take up your peace and love instead.