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

Consciously we don’t always consider how strong fear can be, though it can be the basis of many of the decisions we make and live by.  We can have fear of acceptance so we conform, fear of provisions so we’re greedy or stingy, fear of love and being hurt, so we’re closed and emotionally isolated…
All these things are relatable to our fallen nature as humans.  Though all of those feelings and reactions are there, haunting us to be enslaved to, the desperation to live by faith more than fear is a necessity!  So my prayer can be, “Strengthen me to walk by faith, so I am not paralyzed by what I fear”. (1 John 4:18)
This was the apostle Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, knowing that he would be met with all kinds of fear, because Paul experienced relatively the same fears.  But wanted him to know the only way he was able to fulfill his call, was to embrace what God has given as the alternative; power, love, and self-control…(1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 7:5)
It is not until we truly walk by faith in Christ that the Word comes alive, bringing power to overcome our fears.  So it takes doingwhat God says in the face of the fear, to realize we have power through our Lord.  Not only to overcome what we fear, but have the ability to love and be steadfast in that love, that enables us to make sound decisions (self control) that are pleasing to God.
Fear leaves us paralyzed not only to “shrink back” from what we should do, but not love either, but hate because we’re too afraid.  So I encourage you on this day representing Jesus’ “Last Supper” with the disciples, to consider what Communion means?  In the face of our hatred of Him, His body was broken and poured out in love, to make us one with Him, that we strive to become one with each other in Christ love.  That is the good fight of faith!
In His Love, Ld