Not a Suggestion

I love sports. I love it even more when players are asked about fear and how it relates to achieving victory, and they respond, "I play to glorify God, and because of that, I don't fear anything."

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

2 Timothy 1:7

Hearing that you should be strong and courageous is a lofty notion. A nice thing to hear. But this verse steps things up a little. It doesn't say fear is something you should try to overcome. It says fear was never the spirit God gave you in the first place.

Okay, that's serious.

So God, let me get this straight. You didn't just suggest I try to be brave. You're telling me fear was never part of the package You handed me?

I always thought courage was something you worked up on your own, gritted your teeth and pushed through. But this verse says otherwise. Power, love, and self-control, that's the spirit God actually gave us. Fear is the intruder. It was never supposed to be running the show.

So here's some good news. This isn't a command to become something you're not. It's a reminder of what you already have. Power, love, and self-control, they were given to you the moment you were made His.

When it comes to strength and bravery, it's not a suggestion. It's your inheritance. You don't have any other choice but to live your life courageous, because that's who He made you to be.

Be Nice. Grace Wins.

FMJ