Do Not Fear!

2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

There is a lot of fear going on in our world right now.  The affects of this fear can be seen clearly by walking into Wal-Mart and seeing the empty shelves where there used to be toilet paper and cleaning supplies.  The national media has become the master of instilling fear.  Their ratings skyrocket as people hide in their homes desperately looking for the latest updates.  Those without faith in an unmovable, unshakable God feel their world falling apart and they begin to try to control the few things that are under their submission.  Concern for neighbors and friends takes the back seat to survival.  Add to this equation the crash of the stock market and the division of politics and we are ripe for mass hysteria that includes finger pointing and crazy conspiracy theories.

Paul tells Timothy that as believers we should not be motivated by fear.  We have the Spirit of God upon us.  This provides for us power in using our spiritual gifts to serve those around us.  Christians should be motivated by love and self-control.  I am not saying to not be prepared.  But I am saying that if your motivation for buying a basket full of toilet paper is from fear you are not living in faith.  While the world around us turns to fear, it is time for believers to respond with love and self-control.  During these times those who live thinking they do not need God realize they need help.  If you are believer and are relatively healthy, it is not time to hide.  It is time to run to those living in fear with the hope found in Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."