Daily Journal: 21 July

Fear Is Not Final

Fear can be debilitating and hold people back from living fully. Being intimidated, insecure, not knowing personal value, not being established in strength when we’re young can lead to a life lived in fear and trepidation. That can open a door to a spirit of fear and when that spirit commands our life it makes it difficult to see ourselves and our lives clearly, truly as we are.

Timothy, in the bible, seemed to struggle in this way, at least in his youth. But he learned that fear is not final.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Paul was a mentor to him, encouraging him to set an example for others despite his youth, praying for him and perceiving the gifts in him that God placed there. Those gifts were for him to fulfil a purpose that was larger than his fears would have allowed.

Paul writes this to Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NLT)

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Paul looked after Timothy and admonished other believers not to intimidate him – which is a sad indictment on believers who behave this way. We know God hates that. These various translations give a clear picture of what Timothy dealt with.

1 Corinthians 16:10-11

(NLT) When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.

(NIV) When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 

(NLV) If Timothy comes, receive him and help him so he will not be afraid. He is working for the Lord as I am. Everyone should respect him. Send him on his way to me in peace. I expect to see him and some of the other Christians soon.

Some people are under-estimated. Timothy appears to have been, yet, he was called by God to be an evangelist and he ended up leading a large church in Ephesus.

Whatever it is that you have dealt with, and whatever it is that God calls you to, I pray that you also will fan into flame the spiritual gifts God has placed within you, to believe, and not be afraid.

I pray that we will clearly perceive who we are in God and we will take on 2 Timothy 1:7 that says God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.