Almost Home

⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.                             – 2 Timothy 1:7

Do you ever feel like you live in a pressure-cooker?  And that someone keeps turning up the heat on you?  When things get uncomfortable, and still more pressures are looming around the corner, you might say, “Where is the nearest hole?  I’d like to crawl inside.”

Yet even as we face pressures of all kinds, God has not given us a heart that’s timid.  He isn’t fueling us with fear.  Our Bible verse for today shares that he gives us something much different…and better.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 

God fuels us with his power.   The all-powerful God brought all things into being with the breath of his mouth.  He destroyed the work of Satan and yanked us out of hell’s jaws.  He sits on his glorious throne and assures us that he will never fall off.  God fuels us with his power.  If God is for us, who can be against us?

God also fuels us with his love.   God’s love didn’t rest until sinners were fully forgiven.  God’s love is the kind that never abandons, never is rude, and is not easily angered.  God never abandons us,  that we might never abandon others.  God is never rude to us, that we might bite our tongues, even under pressure.  He’s not easily angered…we can get there too, because God gives us his love.

God fuels us with his self-discipline.   Jesus didn’t fly off the handle, or quit when the going got tough.  He had amazing self-discipline, and it’s that same self-discipline he uses to fuel your heart.  You too, can exercise good judgment under pressure.  You too, can patiently consider the alternatives and make solid decisions.  Why?  Because God gives you a spirit of self-discipline, that’s why.

Under pressure?  Fear not.  Don’t be timid.  God has given you his power…his love…his self-discipline…and that’s a triple gift that plays well anywhere, anytime, under any circumstance.

Prayer: Almighty God, you know that if I had to endure eternal pressure, I would be crushed.  Instead, encourage me that I am almost home, and lift my eyes to the heaven you have arranged for me to have.  Build me up in your power, your love and your self-discipline.  Help me to step forward without fear, even during times of duress, that I might spotlight you in everything I do, say and think.  Amen.