Most of us have pretty good reason to be fearful. Disappointments, trauma, and broken relationships have given way to a great concern that we will never have the love that we seek, that we will never be accepted for who we really are, or that we are bound to be treated poorly. In a fallen world that would allow such evils as incest, rape, and infidelity, it only seems natural to be driven by this fear. But, we have access to a SUPERNATURAL God that wants so much more for us. 2 Timothy 1:7 states "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind."
It sounds to me that to be driven by fear and to have a sound mind are opposites!!!! What do you think? Now stick with me here....Most of us think that in order to have any chance at having a sound mind, we must do something about our fear. So, we cover it up with bad habits or we busy ourselves so that maybe then we won't be plagued by it. Our "logical" minds tell us that based on experience, it would be wise to use our time trying to escape what ails us. Our "intellect" wants us to problem solve our way out of fear, so we develop defense mechanisms or learn how to shut others out so that the parts of us that have been hurt in the past won't have to be cut open again. Ultimately, we learn to protect ourselves out of our fear instead of turning to God with our trepidation and asking Him to give us that spirit of POWER, and LOVE, and SOUND MIND that He promises us. Do you see how it is so easy to leave God out of this equation?
When we invite God in to our fear, He has the power to help us shed that second skin of fear and He wants to share it with us! The next time you are churning with anxiety or you are feeling the pressures of this world that cause you to be fearful, try another strategy...invite Jesus in to that place.
