What Matters Most (The Book of 2 Timothy)Campione

REFLECT

My husband and I shot up from the bed at the exact same time. We raced to the sudden screams from our son’s room. Night terrors! We immediately began to talk to him, soothe him, and hold him. He stopped crying, and without even seeming to fully wake up, he fell back to sleep.

Perhaps you’ve been there. Maybe for you, it wasn’t night terrors but one defining moment that set your heart racing and mind scrambling. At other times in your life, the overwhelming negative spirit wasn’t sudden but gradual. Worry started to overtake your thoughts and soon your attitude reflected it.

In today’s passage, Paul continues to encourage Timothy in his faith. Specifically, he provides a powerful reminder that God is not a God of fear. His Spirit gives life through love, power, and sound reasoning!

No matter what fear you’re tempted to dwell on, focusing on God’s love and embracing his power to make sound choices is always available. Let’s choose love over fear today!

PRAY

Father, when I’m tempted to slip into fear or negativity, draw me back to your love. Help me focus on the life-giving power to love others and make wise choices today. Amen.

CHAT

What type of fear quickly overtakes you? What portion of today’s Bible reading reminds you that your faith can overpower your fear?