This is a spiritual pep talk. A little bit of a kick in the pants, but I’m giving this pep talk to myself just as much as I am to anyone else reading this. We all need an occasional pep talk because life can be overwhelming. Stress, anxiety, pain, and uncertainty can make us feel paralyzed—stuck in a cycle of worry, waiting for things to change but never taking action.
But God never intended for His people to be trapped in fear and misery. He has given us the power to move forward, the wisdom to make decisions, and the ability to act in faith.
God Has Not Given You a Spirit of Fear
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
—2 Timothy 1:7
Did you catch that? Read that verse again. Yes, fear can be crippling. It keeps people from making decisions, stepping out in faith, or changing destructive habits. While God wired the whole “fight-or-flight” thing into our earthly bodies, God didn’t give us a spirit of fear.
For those of us who have genuinely given our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ, God has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit isn’t afraid of anything!
Let me repeat that.. the Holy Spirit fears nothing and no one!
If you’re a believer in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit, and therefore you can have a spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” When we let the Spirit work on our spirit, we can enjoy the promises of II Timothy 1:7, which include…
- Power – The ability to overcome obstacles, to face challenges with faith, and to take action.
- Love – The ability to make choices rooted in love for God, love for others, and love for what is right—not fear of failure or rejection.
- A Sound Mind – The wisdom and clarity to make the right decisions, rather than being driven by panic or indecision.
If you feel stuck, ask yourself: Am I letting fear control me? Or am I trusting in the power, love, and wisdom God has given me?
Don’t Just Think About What God Says—Do It
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
—James 1:22
Some people hear the truth, read the Bible, and even pray, but they never take the next step. They wait for the perfect moment or clearer signs, and in the meantime, nothing changes.
James warns us that simply knowing the right thing isn’t enough. We have to do it.
- If you need to forgive someone, do it.
- If you need to start a new habit, start today.
- If you need to walk away from a harmful situation, take that step.
- If you feel distant from God, seek Him now.
Praying and reading Scripture are essential, but they should lead to action.
Pray and ask God for direction. Look to Scripture for guidance. When you’re clear on what God wants you to do – start doing it. Take the first step of obedience. Do so in faith and power.
Feel stuck or trapped in a situation? Don’t just wallow in it. Ask God what He wants you to do within that situation – and then do it!
Lest I be misunderstood, I’m not saying we should act without prayer or wisdom. Nor am I saying that God won’t take us through tough times. And I’m also not saying that there aren’t times when we should (as Mary did) sit and the feet of Jesus – and just be with Him and listen to Him.
I’m also not saying that everything is within our power or domain of responsibility. There are many things that will happen to us and around us that are beyond our control or even influence. Check out the Serenity Prayer for some wisdom on that. But…
There are almost always some clear things that we can do — no matter the situation. We know we should always do the following:
- Make sure we are saved and have a relationship with God.
- Draw closer to God
- Be a light for the Lord
- Love others
- Be a blessing to others
- Don’t give up
- Give our burdens to the Lord in prayer
- Stay in the Scriptures
- Be an active part of a church family
- Let God grow us through trials
- Pursue wisdom
- Fulfill our immediate and clear responsibilities (as a spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, church member, etc., etc.) as best we can
And so on. I could go on. There are things we know we should be doing even as we wait on the Lord for things that may not yet be clear. As you do the things you’re supposed to do, God will illuminate the next steps in His time. When He does, take those steps.
We don’t need to wallow in self-pity or in despair. God is on the Throne. He is in control. He’s still with us and listening to us. And He still has a plan and a purpose for us.
Final Thought: Step Forward in Faith
God has already given you everything you need to face your situation—power, love, and a sound mind. Don’t let fear rob you of joy and purpose.
Pray. Seek wisdom and direction. Then take action.
Because faith isn’t just believing—it’s doing.
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How true Pastor. Love it!
Blessings,
Tom