Unpacking Emotional Baggage: Fear | 2 Timothy 1:6-7
2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. —Merriam Webster
Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. —Oxford Languages
Types of Fear:
a. Preserve Life
· Potential Danger
· Actual Danger
b. Pass Quickly
a. Continual
b. Illogical
Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
· Whatif I’m dumb in school?
· Whatif they’ve closed the swimming pool?
· Whatif I get beat up?
· Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
· Whatif I start to cry?
· Whatif I get sick and die?
· Whatif I flunk that test?
· Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
· Whatif nobody likes me?
· Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
· Whatif I don’t grow taller?
· Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
· Whatif the fish won’t bite?
· Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
· Whatif they start a war?
· Whatif my parents get divorced?
· Whatif the bus is late?
· Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
· Whatif I tear my pants?
· Whatif I never learn to dance? —Shel Silverstein
2 Timothy 1:5
when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
Matthew 25:25
And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.
2 Timothy 1:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
over Fear
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
3 elements to overcoming FEAR!
1. A
1 Samuel 17:45-47
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
2. A
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear
3. A
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.