“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The word “fear» in the New Testament is the English translation of three different Greet words: deilía, fobos, and eulábeia. Deilía is a bad fear, fobos can be either a good fear or a bad fear, and eulábeia is predominately a good fear. Most of the words translated as “fear” come from fobos, which is the origin of our word ‘phobia.” This text presents the only time in the entire New Testament that the word deilía is used is, although a derivation of the same root is used in John 14:27, Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:40, and Revelation 21:8.* All of these were Jesus’s own words. The best translation of deilía is cowardice or timidity. In other words, “God has not given us a spirit of cowardice and timidity.”
If such a spirit is in you, and you struggle with fears, phobias, and anxiety, this text will help you take two steps to achieve a sound mind. The first is to understand that God did not put this spirit in you; perhaps it comes from your past, from your childhood, from your weaknesses, or even from Satan, but not from God. He does not create cowards; no genuine Christian has this spirit. The second step is to understand what God has given you: a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control.
Power: The word power or strength is dúnamis in the original Greek, which is the root of the word “dynamite.” It is not the power to control others but to do what is correct; to help, and to serve. Fear neutralizes your effectiveness, but the power of God is greater than any fear. His power sustains you, frees you. You are safe in His hands; His power enables you to face the thief of your future and your destiny—fear.
Love:The opposite of fear is not courage, but love, because it is love that casts out fear. Love enables you to help others. It allows you to understand that God takes much better care of you than you can, and it gives you the power to take care of chose who are under your care.
Sound Mind or Self-Control: This is the wisdom to keep you from falling into extremes. God gives you a sound mind, which is calm and in control of your actions, in contrast to a mind full of panic and confusion.
Reject the spirit of fear or cowardice, which does not come from God, and receive with gratitude His gifts of abundance. When cowardice or timidity visit you, tell them that you have no room for them because God has filled you with power, love, and self-control.
*Blue Letter Bible, Lexicon: Strong’s G2673 – deilía en https://www.blueletterbible.org/lcxicon/gll67/rvr60/tr/0-1/, consultado en marzo de 2022.
Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023 “DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes