Meditation for Perfectionists – Wednesday January 26, 2022

Releasing Our Fear

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

“I didn’t know it before, but I realize it now,” shared the middle-aged man who was recovering from work addiction. “I’m afraid of the disapproval of my dad, I’m afraid of the rejection of my wife, I’m afraid I will not perform well enough on my job. Every day I fear I might fail. Where did all this fear come from?”

We may have received this fear as a result of hurtful past experiences, but it did not come from God. God does not give us unhealthy fear, timidity, dread or cowardice. God gives us power; the strength to be and do. He also gives us love that does the most beneficial thing, not just the easiest. This kind of love does not give in for the sake of “peace at any cost.” God also gives us minds that can think, perceive, and reason based on reality.

Unhealthy fear causes us to shrink from reality, and to hide from honest and loving relationships. We can progressively replace our unhealthy fear with a new way of thinking based on faith in an unfailing God.

Lord, I believe that my irrational fear does not originate with you.
Please help me release my fear and live by faith.

Copyright Joan C. Webb

For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com