Casting out Fear

[2 Tim.1:7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

How many times do we enter a trial with so much fear that we run the opposite (and generally wrong) way?

How many times does someone depend on us to share the Gospel or pray for them, yet due to fear of rejection, we refuse to obey?

How many times do we do the wrong thing instead of what we know is right due to fear of being made fun of?

God has not given us the spirit of fear.

He has given us three tools that are pretty much all we need to make it.

1. Power: [2 Cor. 6:4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
• God has equipped us with tools that will give us power for service no matter what comes against us. 
2. Love: [Romans 8:28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
• We must love God and love people. When we can grasp the love of God, we will automatically love people. Love makes all things possible.. not easy; however, the hard things will be worthwhile when we do them in love.
3. Sound Mind: The dictionary definition of a "sound mind" is: 
• exercising or showing good judgement
• in excellent physical condition
• free from moral defect
• God gave us this sound mind. We should all be thankful for the mind that He has given us and the ability to make sound judgement and good moral reasoning. There are many people in this world that have been born with mind defects. They are not capable of making decisions on their own. The only decision that is very necessary to make, though, is that of choosing Christ as our personal Savior (which I believe even those with mind defects are capable of making.) 

Next time you come across a situation and the first reaction you want to make is to be afraid... DON'T. If God does not give us a spirit of fear then where does it come from?

The devil.

Do not let him control you. Cast out fear. Act in power. Act in love. Act with a sound mind. 

[Joshua 1:9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.