God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
The Apostle Paul had a young assistant named Timothy, and Timothy had a nervous temperament. He served as a pastor, but Paul had to remind him that God did not give us a spirit of timidity.
Some of us will struggle in this area more than others. But all of us will, at some point, experience the inner struggle between faith and fear. Peter was hardly the timid type, but “when he saw the wind he was afraid” (Matthew 14:30).
What is the wind that makes you afraid? Terrorism? Or the economy? You have trusted Christ but now that you see this, you feel fearful. Is it the fear of failure? You are so afraid of looking foolish that you hold back from doing what he calls you to do. Does the power of sin and temptation seem overwhelming to you? Do you wonder if you can really live this Christian life?
Is it the fear of the future? You are so afraid of what the future might hold that you lose the ability to trust the Lord in what you are facing today. Is it the fear of loss? You are so afraid of what you might lose that you lose the joy of what you have.
Fear is a mighty power. If we are ever going to make progress in the Christian life, we need to know how to deal with this enemy.
What is the wind that makes you afraid? Talk to the Lord about it.
