Read with me, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22
If the mind was valuable, God wouldn’t instruct us to renew it – Bill Johnson (Paraphrase.) I find it significantly interesting that power is listed first in 2 Timothy 1:7. How often do we face hardships that cause us anxiety or fear, that wreak havoc with our peace, and cast our minds into turmoil? God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power. He has equipped us with power to overcome, power to live, power to love, and the power that comes from possessing a sound mind.
Today, I want to expand on the different ways power can manifest and be utilised in your life. We are prone to associate the power of God with thunderbolts, and magnificent displays that stun our senses and overwhelm our doubt. But more often than not, power is needed not to overcome the giants, but to accomplish the mundane tasks of everyday life for which there are no accolades and to which there are no witnesses. In the last few weeks, I have witnessed God’s power at work in my life, enabling me to show up for my life when I wanted to quit. When you are tired, and life is hard, He has the power you need. He makes you strong, enables you and girds up your legs in order to stand, and stand some more. Power, demonstrated in my life recently, is simply to do what is hard. To live with power sometimes merely means showing up. Power does not ultimately find its expression in extravagance, but in tenacity and audacity. Power is facing the giant, moving the mountain, approaching the burning bush, raising your staff to strike water, carrying the cross, accepting the cup, and washing feet, all while not fully wanting to. It is, at times, so mundane, it is at times so plain that we easily overlook the power at hand while seeking displays that stimulate. The fight is sometimes more important and impactful than the win. Trust Him with your life, and face the journey with Him by your side.
Abraham was Strong in faith. We read in Romans 4 that he was made powerful by believing. The strength came as he believed; the evidence was in taking action against fear, not in the promise being fulfilled. When he didn’t fear, he was strong, as he believed God would do as he promised, he was strong, as he didn’t waver in believing, he was made strong. This is the God we serve, He equips us unto life; he equips us unto righteous living! Live! Living powerfully means taking back power that the lies of the enemy have stolen from you. The lies that scream your little life is insignificant. The lies that says the hardship of waking and doing the hard work of family life and your job is not a holy vocation. Beat it by showing up for it. You have the power to show up and do what is hard, to be powerful. He has equipped you with powerful tools to overcome. He doesn’t give as the world gives; He doesn’t instil fear in order to train us, but gives us the power to face the fear head-on.
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:7
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
As you wait, your strength is renewed, in order that you may run and walk, and be raised up. The strength is found in the doing of life, in the facing of hardship, in the trust while weak.
Be not afraid to live.
