This morning I awoke with this verse in my mind, and I began to recognize that I've been giving in to a spirit of fear lately. There are changes occurring in my life at the moment, and though I'm fully aware that God does not bring change to me unless it is for my good, and though I didn't want to feel fear about it, I still felt fear. As I lay in bed praying about it this morning, I just kept hearing this thought in my mind - "God is not the origin of fear", "God has not given me a spirit of fear."
As I ponder those words, I was reminded of James 4:7: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." KJV I've always seen this verse as instruction to me - "Resist those temptations". Today I recognize it for the promise that it is. If I resist the devil - that Spirit of fear that does not originate in God - he will FLEE!!!! What a wonderful promise!
So, how do I resist this spirit of fear? That verse in 2nd Timothy gives a very strong hint. Focus on the spirit that DOES come from God - "power, love, a sound mind". For me today, I got a clearer understanding of what I was to focus on as I read this verse from the New Living Translation:
That little word "self-discipline" jumped out at me. That is certainly a part of where the fear has been coming from. I haven't been as self-disciplined in some areas of my life as has been needed, as I've focused on some areas of my life to the exclusion of others. For example, I haven't always taken the time to prepare healthy meals for myself - being "too busy" to do so. Any time I tell myself "I can't" I'm not living from a spirit of power! And clearly, if I'm living a life that is out of balance, I am not living a life of self-discipline! What about the spirit of love? Is that fully embraced and active in me?
Father, thank you for your words to me this morning! Thank you for giving me the guidance and direction I've needed. Please work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure, Father, that I may no longer be haunted by the spirit of fear. Thank you, God!
As I ponder those words, I was reminded of James 4:7: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." KJV I've always seen this verse as instruction to me - "Resist those temptations". Today I recognize it for the promise that it is. If I resist the devil - that Spirit of fear that does not originate in God - he will FLEE!!!! What a wonderful promise!
So, how do I resist this spirit of fear? That verse in 2nd Timothy gives a very strong hint. Focus on the spirit that DOES come from God - "power, love, a sound mind". For me today, I got a clearer understanding of what I was to focus on as I read this verse from the New Living Translation:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 (Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)
That little word "self-discipline" jumped out at me. That is certainly a part of where the fear has been coming from. I haven't been as self-disciplined in some areas of my life as has been needed, as I've focused on some areas of my life to the exclusion of others. For example, I haven't always taken the time to prepare healthy meals for myself - being "too busy" to do so. Any time I tell myself "I can't" I'm not living from a spirit of power! And clearly, if I'm living a life that is out of balance, I am not living a life of self-discipline! What about the spirit of love? Is that fully embraced and active in me?
Father, thank you for your words to me this morning! Thank you for giving me the guidance and direction I've needed. Please work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure, Father, that I may no longer be haunted by the spirit of fear. Thank you, God!
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This blog is simply a sharing of my "daily bread" - my daily walk with God. If something I've said has touched your heart, or sparked a new thought, I'd love to hear from you.