I thank God, whom I worship and serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, and as I recall your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I remember your sincere and unqualified faith [the surrendering of your entire self to God in Christ with confident trust in His power, wisdom and goodness, a faith] which first lived in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am confident that it is in you as well. That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible], for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],

Paul is living each day in prison, with chains around his feet (where he spent much of his ministry) as he writes this. Here is a list of the lifetime trials he experienced: “…I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Everywhere he turned, persecution seemed to haunt him. In spite of all this, he is thankful, worships God, and is full of anticipatory joy at the future potential of visiting with his son in the faith, Timothy. And he boasts about his weakness because it is simply not about him or his strength. He relies on strength from the Spirit of the Living God to persevere! And he encourages Timothy to “fan the flame” of the gift of God inside him. This gift manifested itself in him as a leader of the church. He could be referring to a specific gift here, but my hunch is that he is referring to all that God has given him in Christ Jesus — the fruit of righteousness and of the Spirit.

And not always knowing whether or not the day his letter is received will be a mountaintop day or a valley day, he encourages him. He says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

So powerful! When I allow fear to reign, I react out of pride and selfishness. When the Spirit of God reigns, I react out of power, love, and a sound mind or sound judgment. I must confess, sometimes I do not act in this manner. Though I have experienced a lot of victory over the fears that I wrestle with, every once and a while I allow them access to my mind and they wreak havoc.

I cannot allow myself to stay there, for I have been delivered, saved, and called to a holy life! It is this life in Jesus Christ into which I am redeemed, and that conquers the fears of this world.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (I John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Lord, thank you for this powerful promise that your love can drive out my fears. Drive out my fear and return to my heart a love that is from you and is compelling to others because of its purity and its humility.