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REFLECTIONS
Spirit of fear, Spirit of power

D. Stewart

2 Timothy 1:7-12

With five married children and 12 grandchildren, I am a perpetual worrier. What if my son-in-law loses his job? What if . . . ? My worrying is a family joke.

It often seems that Christian media fan a spirit of fear in the church family: “Teachers are trying to turn your children into homosexuals or Satan worshippers”; “The State wants to prevent you from disciplining your children; it wants to control your children from the cradle to the grave”. Media-engendered fear crowds out the Spirit of power, quenches our love for our neighbour, diminishes our courage, immobilizes our minds, undermines our trust and silences our witness.

Paul’s words to Timothy speak to me: “Fan into a flame the gift that God gave you . . . God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control. . . . I know who it is that I have put my trust in, and I have no doubt at all that He is able to take care of all that I have entrusted to Him”. (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Jerusalem Bible).

Lord, remind me to make my fears an incitement to prayer. Then I will draw strength from the One who gives a Spirit of power, love and self-control.

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by D. Stewart of Vancouver. Freelance submissions (200-250 words in length) are welcome.

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Last modified July 17, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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