II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The text implies we are called to live fearlessly. Some people prefer to remain confined in a false sense of security provided by their comfort zone. While it does provide a measure of comfort, your comfort zone stunts your spiritual development. As my pastor says, “there is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.” In the past, often motivated by fear I fought tooth and nail to remain in hiding. But God had other plans for my life. Ironically, there was a part of me that lied buried beneath my fears which longed for release from the prison of what I call comfortable captivity.
The debilitating nature of fear will cause you to talk yourself out of applying for a job you know you are qualified for. Fear of rejection will keep you silent when others need to hear what you have to say. Fear will cause you to self-sabotage opportunities God sends your way. Fear prevents dreams from ever becoming a reality. But you were not saved to be bound by fear.
Living fearlessly does not mean you will never be afraid. Fear demands courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it means you keep moving even when afraid. To live fearlessly calls for you to step out of the boat of your comfort zone in order to live the victorious life you were created to live.
God commands us to “ fear not” repeatedly throughout the bible. Why? Because He knows everyone (including Christians) will experience fear. There are numerous biblical accounts when people like Jacob, Moses, Esau, and Gideon confronted their fears, they were able to walk in promise. God open doors of opportunity that can be downright scary. Nevertheless, you must obey God’s instructions.
The word “power” in II Timothy 1:7 means to be capable. It also means miraculous power. Hence, you are empowered to operate in the “all things are possible” realm. We say we can do all things through Christ until we are confronted with a challenge. Many want to be greatly blessed. However, too fearful to venture into uncharted waters, they remain stuck on the shores of defeat. God has equipped you with a sound mind that enables you to think your way through fear and adversity.
Faith and fear cannot occupy the same space. God is in the habit of having us confront our fears, not to terrorize us, but to promote new levels of growth, and birth us into a new dimension of faith and trust in Him. The Spirit of the Living God dwells within you and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (II Corinthian 3:17). You never know how strong you are or what you are capable of achieving until you begin to conquer your fears. The enemy knows how powerful you are. That is why he seeks to overwhelm and overcome you with fear. There is no fear that you are not fully equipped to conquer.
The next time you are afraid, keep repeating out loud, “Lord I trust You” as you keeping pressing forward. Why remain fearful and walk around on eggshells when you have been created to live fearless and walk above the waters of your circumstances?
Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson, Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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