Not the spirit of fear

Paul wrote this to Timothy, a young leader who seems to have been timid by temperament — prone to shrinking back, easily intimidated. The apostle’s counsel begins with a matter of provenance: check where the fear came from. God hath not given it. Whatever delivered that spirit of timidity to your door, it was not your Father.

Then the inventory of what He has given — three supplies, each answering fear at a different point. Power: capacity that does not depend on your confidence levels. Love: because fear is self-focused (what will happen to me?) and love turns the gaze outward, where fear cannot easily follow. And a sound mind — discipline, self-possession, the ability to think straight while the alarm bells ring.

Fear will make its delivery attempt today; it always does. You are allowed to refuse the parcel. What has actually been issued to you — power, love, sound judgement — is already in the house.