“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Fear has a way of speaking loudly, almost shouting into the quiet corners of our minds. It convinces us that we are not enough, that our efforts will end in failure, and that the worst-case scenario is not just possible but inevitable. Fear thrives on exaggeration and distortion. It magnifies uncertainty until we feel paralyzed, unable to move forward, and it shrinks our vision until hope seems like a distant dream.
But Scripture makes it clear that fear is not from God. He has not instilled fear in us. Instead, He has given us power, love, and a sound mind. These are not just comforting words; they are spiritual tools. Power reminds us that we are not weak or defenseless. Love, the most powerful force in the universe, assures us that God’s presence surrounds us, pushing fear away because perfect love casts out all fear. A sound mind allows us to discern truth from lies, to think clearly when panic tries to cloud our judgment.
Courage, then, is not the absence of fear but the decision not to let fear control us. Even when emotions arise, we have the choice to respond differently. Fear may knock at the door of your heart, but you do not have to open it. You can remember who you are in Christ and the strength He has already given you.
Think for a moment about the fears you’ve carried in the past. How many of them ever truly happened? And in the moments when difficulties did come, didn’t God still show up? Didn’t He provide the strength, wisdom, or unexpected help you needed to get through? Fear always feels permanent in the moment, but it fades. God’s faithfulness, on the other hand, never fades. It is steady, unchanging, and present in every season of life.
So today, when fear tries to whisper its lies into your spirit, answer back with truth. You can say with confidence: “God has not given me fear. I walk in His power. I am covered in His love. My mind is at peace because I know who holds my future.” Fear may come, but it does not get the final word.