Beyond Fear

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

God gave us the gift of free will. We have the power to choose. We may not have a choice about what happens to us in certain situations, but we can choose how we respond. No matter what we face in life, God enables us to learn and grow from our choices. The scripture states that "God has not given us a spirit of fear". Notice the scripture does not reveal that we would never experience fear. Fear is a real emotion. The focus is on our response to fear. You must live beyond fear. I remember an acronym used for fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. How true is this statement? There is something called perceived fear and that is fear that we can dream up in our mind which eventually attacks our state of being.

Fear comes to paralyze and keep you in a state of immobility. Over and over God says to His people. "Do not fear." God gives us the courage, the power and a sound mind to face our fears and empowers us to make wise decisions. Fear of rejection or of others disapproval often causes us to compromise what we believe. Instead of molding yourself to fit another's mold, you can discover a more balanced and powerful image of what it means to be a man or woman of faith. God promises that He will give you the strength and wisdom you need. You can make courageous choices that will result in positive changes, healthy self-esteem, spiritual stamina and a more fulfilling life.