| 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” |
Before I had an inkling as to how much God loves His children, I had a fear of any venture that might kill me…Drag Racing or flying – what if we crashed and died? Roller coasters – what if it flies off the tracks?? Being a thrill seeker certainly has its setbacks if you are afraid of going to hell when you die.
Scripture tells us that God is like a Papa full of tenderness and love for His children. We are safe in our Fathers care. I am convinced that to know the Lord, is to love the Lord! When I really came to know the Lord, I lost that bondage to fear.
The first time I ever piloted solo, I was mentally solid in trusting God and in knowing that I was well prepared. But as soon as I left the runway, my body started violently shaking like never before. I told the Lord that if He would help my body to be steady, I could do a much better job managing the controls. I’ve often wondered why my flesh reacted opposite my mind.
I could have never received my license without the stability of knowing Who holds my hand. Without knowing the Lord, I’m sure that I would be given over to fear and dread of the future. Over the years, I had many conversations with the Lord while flying alone, you know hours of boredom interrupted by moments of stark terror, telling Him that I knew I wasn’t going down without His authorization. I trust Him wholeheartedly. I have the blessing of knowing that if the unthinkable happens, He promises to work all tragedy for the good (Rom. 8:28). I’m His child. Nothing is going to happen to me unless the Lord allows it.
God does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham (Heb. 2:16). He loves and cares for me. I know I don’t deserve it – it’s a gift. It’s a blessing so big that words cannot explain. There is a time for each of us to be born and to die (Psalms 139:16). We are released from the bondage of fear when we know that we have an ultimate home in heaven. This is how we know: God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for you and me, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save us through Him (John 3:16-17). That kind of love gives me a sound mind and keeps me at peace from within. We don’t have to fear death when we know Christ, because our Father loves us, He is good to us, He cares for us and we know what the future holds. God does not lie, and He assures us that when we walk with Him, everything will be okay one way or another. The Bible tells us so! Thank you, Lord for these wonderful promises that soothe our soul.
–Vicki Rance
