God gives us a way to work through our anxieties

Do you every struggle with anxiety? Everyone does from time to time, yet Paul is writing to a young Timothy, who is probably having some anxiety.

He reminds Timothy that fear or anxiety is not of God. This is a great verse because it leads us to understand we don’t have to stay stuck in our anxiety. We have a different spirit from God, one which can remove and replace this anxiety with His power, love and sound mind.

This power mentioned in this verse has the meaning of being able or capable of an inherent strength and power that comes from God. The same power Jesus used to perform miracles. However, let us remember that this power doesn’t belong to us, but it is available to us.

The love mentioned in this verse is “agape” love, a love of the deepest source. This “agape” love seeks good things for us without anything in return from us. In I John 4:18 it says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear.” The closer we get to God the less we should fear because of His great love for us.

The sound mind in this verse means to have a mind of self-discipline, to train the mind to think and act soberly and discreetly. As the Lord lives within our life, it transforms our mind to understand, perceive and feel the same as Jesus does.

When we trust the Lord as our Savior, anxiety doesn’t necessarily go away. But God gives us a way to work through our anxieties and take control over it through His Spirit within us. We don’t have to worry anymore.