Power Points
Week of September 26, 2010
PUTTING FEAR IN ITS PROPER PLACE
"God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind." -2 Timothy 1:7
Fear can be a friend if it brings us to our knees or to our doctor or to the safety of our Lord, but more often than not it is an enemy and robs us of our love, joy and peace.
When we are filled with love for God we reverence Him but we do not fear Him.
When we are filled with love for others, we do not fear them but seek to be a blessing to them whether it be family, friend, neighbor or even a stranger.
When we are filled with the Spirit we are given courage as well as peace. We know God is with us and for us because He is in us.
When we trust God and grow in faith we do not fear but know that the Lord is on our side. We know that we can be victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bible is filled with passages that say to us, "Do not be afraid."
The Lord adds to that, "For I am with you."
Consider how when we focus on the unknown, we become anxious, but when we focus on the knowns — God loves me, God cares for me, God is ever near, God has forgiven me, God wants to heal me at my deepest need, God sends people to love and care for me, God uses me to bless others whether in word or deed, in person or across the miles — then I find rest and peace and joy.
When we focus on our problems, we are overwhelmed, but when we look to God, He puts things into perspective and calms our fears and gives us hope.