2 Timothy 1:7
⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)

We can live by the Spirit, or we will live in fear.

Fear moves in our hearts and minds to pay homage to something or someone that, in our own mind, seems superior to the Holy Spirit in the immediate. Fear wins when we see the pressures we are facing as if they are superior to God. Fear overcomes us if we credit people with more power to destroy than God to sustain us. By allowing these pressures, people, and possibilities to dictate our behavior and thoughts, we loosen our grip on the Spirit and forfeit the wonders God has planned for our life.

The question we must ask daily is what or whom are we crediting with having more power than God? If we will take note of where our words or behavior do not align with the Spirit, we will see where we have elevated a person or some pressure above God. Fear works to convince us that God has abdicated His throne. We respond as if God’s power is inferior.

For believers, the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God for our life is ours to take and ours to forfeit. The enemy cannot force us to abandon God’s plan for our life. His alternative method is fear. Fear convinces us that God is impotent so there is no point in putting our lives in His hands. So, we follow the precepts of fear.

We must remember that Scripture compares fear to a shadow. Shadows make things seem darker. But, shadows have no weight, no substance to do anything but convince us that God is impotent and untrustworthy. When we tether ourselves to the Spirit, however, it is clear the Spirit is not a mere shadow. He releases the substantive power of God by which all things are possible. The darkest shadows diverge in the light of God as the feckless demons scurry. Each moment, we can be filled with the power of God or the fear of shadows. It’s our choice.

Prayer: Lord, let me choose You. Help me to see past the shadows to set my eyes on the Light of God. Help me to live in power, not fear. Amen