for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
God doesn’t want us to be afraid. But what is a spirit of fear?
A spirit of fear is marked by constant, negative reactions to bad things that might happen. It holds us captive and keeps us from moving forward into the will of God.
We can’t replace fear with misplaced confidence.
God replaces our fear with power, love, and a sound mind.
We become unafraid of suffering for the mission of God.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...
- 2 Timothy 1:8-10
If we share in God’s mission, then we’ll also share in God’s victory.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:3-10