(Today’s post was first published August 8, 2023).

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV — For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

When I was a little girl we had a fish fry at our house every Friday night that included my dad’s fishing buddies — two retired widows from our church. The fellowship was always enjoyable and their wealth of knowledge was priceless. One night the adults talked about an incident of a lady coming home one evening and a “bad guy” was hiding under her bed. As they continued the story, which ended in favor of the “good guy,” I became fixated on the bad guy hiding under the bed. Thus was born an irrational fear of someone hiding under my bed. For what seems like years, at night when I went into my bedroom, I would take one step and then take a leaping jump to my bed so that if there was a bad guy under my bed he/she couldn’t grab my leg. Take a moment to envision that scenario. Isn’t that hilarious?

Thankfully I came to my senses and got over that fear. As I have grown older and wiser, I realize how debilitating fear can be, but I also realize fear is not of God. Fear is a liar. Listen to the song “Fear Is a Liar” by Zach Williams. Reread your list of fears you wrote Sunday and give them to God. Speak to the lies of fear and tell them they have no power over you. You are a child of God!

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for giving me a spirit of “power and love and self-control.”Give me strength and courage to overcome my fears. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.