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
These are interesting times in which to be alive in America. On Wednesday January 20 at 12:00 noon Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America. It has been a time of great upheaval and uncertainty in regards to the government of these United States. Strong feelings, words, and actions have divided the country along poltical lines. I have noticed that there are two things missing in regards to how people feel about the government and the nation at large. The social unrest that spilled into the streets in the summer of 2020 as a result of racial injustice has caused an additional lack of trust in government, law enforcement and racial equality. There is no trust and there is no faith. The pandemic known as Covid-19 seems to be raging out of control. The promised vaccine to bring about a cure has been issued in short supply versus demand leading to additional frustrations. Trust is defined as to have confidence or belief in something or someone. Faith is conviction based on hearing. When trust is replaced by mistrust and faith is replaced by fear disaster is right around the corner. When people are living without trust and faith chaos may result. As believers in Christ do we have an answer for the world? Paul wrote to Timothy in the second letter to encourage him and remind him that he was to be a good soldier of Christ. Timothy by nature was not an outgoing personality type and tended to shy away from controversies. In the first letter Paul told Timothy how to administer the church in terms of doctrine and duties. In this second letter Paul reminds Timothy not to be afraid but to unashamedly discharge his ministry. As Paul told Timothy how to handle his fear, we also do not give in to fear in the midst of lack of confidence in institutions or society because we have faith in someone who is greater than anything or anyone. The bible reminds us of who God is and who we are and His overarching plan for the world. He has given us his Holy Spirit who indwells us and leads and guides us and removes the spirit of fear and gives us Himself. When our strength is not in ourselves but in our God who is the ultimate one who has power and love this focus gives us clear thinking and a regulated mind. The principles of the Word of God help give us proper perspective to handle whatever is going on in the world because we believe greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world.
H. Scott Latimer
