Series: Renewal
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Long before the term, “No Fear” became popular, “No Fear” was a thing with God.
In 2 Timothy 1:7 we are told, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
However, God’s “No Fear” option is vastly different from today’s no fear slogan.
Allow me to explain.
Today’s no fear slogan speaks to our human desire to face a task with gusto…or without fear. Particularly, it can refer to an athlete attempting to face a difficult task.
No Fear from a human standpoint can also refer to a cancer patient who has resolved their fear of death and dying. I remember my dad’s resolve shifted at one point on his journey with cancer. There was a treatment in 1987 but once they knew the cancer was far too aggressive for the treatment available at the time, he resolved to die with dignity. He was a believer and he really was not afraid of death. At the time, I struggled to let go but my journey and my struggle did not change his resolve. I believe he prayed that I would trust God. It took time and a lot of grieving but eventually I found peace in knowing he was in God’s arms.
Today’s No Fear slogan can also refer to a feeling of superiority over another person or group of people.
Contempt for social norms or feeling superior over another person in society, can play itself out in many forms. One example would be that when a teenager is given a command, he or she whispers “whatever” under their breath as they pass. That contempt can also take the form of a moral judgment on a person or a group. In other words, they do not fear or care about anyone who disagrees with their decisions.
I chuckle a bit because I remember that attitude during the 1960’s and 1970’s. I don’t laugh because it was funny at the time. I laugh because we thought we knew something about “life”.
We did not.
It took time for us to figure that out.
By the time many of us did figure it out we had been kicked in the teeth a few times.
In today’s world if someone says they have no fear it can also refer to their internal desire to convince themself they will be alright. It’s almost like a bully loudly stating, “I’m not afraid of anything!”
All the while internally they know they are very afraid. Their outward declaration can be loud because their fear is overpowering them. The phrase ‘me thinks thou dost protect too much’ comes to mind.
A declaration of no fear could very well a cry for support.
In other words, when someone shouts they have no fear from a human standpoint it can be a cry for help from within.
At the opposite end of the spectrum we learn from 2 Timothy 1:7 that when we trust God and rely on the power of the Spirit NO FEAR has a very different connotation.
When we confess God gives us power, love, and self-control and we rely on God to act on our behalf from within, then we can leave the matter to God.
In many cases, or most of the time the issue we struggle with is accepting God’s help.
We want help, but we do not know how to let go to obtain it.
That’s because it requires an act of submission.
We need to admit we are human and we want help.
Oftentimes, the very people who appear to be completely in control and capable are the ones who struggle to surrender and turn the matter over to God. Their strength of character can be detrimental if taken too seriously.
When I was twenty something and I thought I knew something about life and God, I would often get caught off-guard and by what I didn’t know.
I reasoned that I if I prayed and served God everything would be alright. I thought I was immune to life’s difficult moments. The first time I had a problem with something that really mattered and it didn’t turn out like I expected, I took it hard.
I was 28 years old and I was expecting my fourth child. I had a dream every time I was expecting and I saw the child in the dream. This time I had a dream and I saw a young girl riding a small bicycle.
I had a girl, a boy, and a boy, and I was glad I was having another girl.
Then one afternoon early in the pregnancy I didn’t feel well and I laid down to rest. I was spotting blood but that wasn’t the first time that had happened when I was expecting and it wasn’t a problem.
This time it didn’t stop when I rested. I called the doctor and he admitted me to the hospital. Once I was there it seemed like everything was fine and I was set to be discharged on the third day.
Then I started having cramps. I was praying and telling God I surrendered the matter. I miscarried the child within a few hours. I was devastated. I knew God gives us power, love, and a sound mind but I didn’t feel the power of God. I didn’t feel God’s love. My mind was troubled. What about the dream I had?
It took time for me to admit that God is God and I am not God.
I did surrender it to God. I hoped God would make it so I could carry that child but God had other plans. Three years later I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. God had a plan and as I said, I am not God. I believe we will be United with the girl I lost…in heaven she’s riding her bicycle waiting for us.
I was supposed to have a third boy. He made our family complete.
Spiritual Practice: Surrender
Give your fear to God.
In God, Deborah
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