"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)
I once heard it said that fear is one of the doorkeepers in our lives - it allows other spirits in with it. Anyone who has ever had a panic attack knows how horrifying the spirit of fear can be. Fear, left unchecked, can blossom as it enables our imaginations to run wild. And no amount of logical reasoning will calm down that spirit once it is empowered. Fear is a spirit.
That is why Paul wrote to my namesake, Timothy, these words: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7). Once we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit and allowed Him full access to our hearts and minds, He drives out all fear. And, it is important to remember that John wrote in Revelation 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Obviously God takes fear pretty seriously.
It is important to remember, however, this fear is not the fear of falling, or of bungee jumping, or of spiders, etc. These are natural, protective fears that cause us to modify our behavior to avoid natural injury. The fear of which the Bible speaks is that fear that immobilizes us, that keeps us from obeying the voice of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit. Remember, there is a natural fear - a normal process that causes us to avoid dangerous situations over which we have control.
That is why now I can read the headlines about COVID, or murder hornets, or the latest one - flying spiders that are anticipated on the East Coast of the United States soon - and shrug them off. Yes, I'll admit I had COVID, but I wasn't afraid of it, for the power that raised Christ from the dead is living within me. Plus, if it DID take me out of this earthly realm, I would be with Christ in heaven. Either way I win.
Today I challenge you to face life with boldness, with the confidence that the Eternal One is living within you (as a Christian). He never promises to deliver us from situations, but He promises to walk with us through them. Think about Paul, lying on the road after having been beaten and left for dead. Would you have questioned whether God loved you or not if you had been him? Or would you, as Paul did, gather your strength, check your calling, and get up to continue the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ? Some believe Jesus experienced a taste of this fear in the Garden when He prayed, "Father, if it be possible, deliver me from this cup (of death on the cross)?" I can't say He did, but it would certainly be within the realm of Jesus, the son of man, as the Bible says He was tempted in every way like as we are, yet was without sin. How do we know He was without sin? Because after He prayed this the next words He spoke were, "Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done." And He obeyed - even to death on the cross. I charge you to have that same boldness, to have that same devotion and dedication - to obey to the death, if necessary, the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We are called to go forth, multiply, and have dominion over our world. Go forth. Multiply. And rule and reign in your world today.
Be blessed.
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