2 Timothy 1:7 New International Version (NIV)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
We do not need to carry a spirit of fear. When I was a kid, I can look back and see how scared I was of things. I was scared to go to school because kids would tease me. I was scared to go to bed at night, because someone had broken into our home and one guy left through my window. I was scared to be alone and I spent so much time alone in my room, I made my stuff animals my friends. I experienced being scared and fear would enter my head. Fear is an ugly thing to carry around with you. I didn't really grow up in church and when we started going, it was not a healthy church. I would have my first real experience heart change about 19 years old. Learning of God more and who he really was to me.
Romans 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
A Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NO FEAR ~
Being transformed by the renewing of your mind
I grew up in the 60's and 70's. There was a lot of changes happening in our country. People were trying to find peace, joy and freedom in so many ways. I was growing up in age and trying to figure out life. I remember wanting to grow up and experience freedom. Freedom of fear and freedom of self. I had so much self doubt and no real confidence through school. It was not until my 12th of school, that I began to speak up and became a difference person. Yet, at this point I had not experienced Jesus for myself. School is now completed, my dad would die less than a month later. Life would change and more fear would enter my home.
I have found that each of us have a story. The fear I grew up under certainly carrie to my adult life. I had to experience Jesus, let go of what I could not change and it all was a process. You might look at someone and wish you were them, but you might not want to go on their path of where they have been at in life. Yesterdays can be full of test, sorrow and hard to get back up again. I'm hear today to say that God is a good God and you can do it. At some point, each of us need to get back up again and turn our lives over to God. That looks different for each of us and that's why we are different. My story, your story and connecting in life, brings us both encouragement and freedom. Freedom that we do not need to live in yesterdays but live in today. Experience Jesus and joys of life. Sharing it and carrying it along to others. Jesus story remains the truth years later and your example matters.
GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR ~
gives us power, love and self-discipline.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. It has taken years not to live in fear, but here I am. Sure there are things that scare me, but I know whom I believe in and answers. Casting down all imaginations and living in the truth. I can do all things through Christ and I won't allow the devil to keep me in fear. I hope you won't either and challenge yourself to become a better person and not bitter. Happy new day!
~ Sparkie