My sister, Kim, called and shared with me her neat experience with 2 Timothy 1:7:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Here are some of her thoughts:

My eyes were opened as I listened carefully to the speakers at church. The speaker quoted 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” This struck a cord with me, I realized that I have been crippled by fear most of my life. I dont want to pass the spirit of fear on to my children, rather faith power. I knew in that moment what I must do, I was to go home and memorize 2 Timothy 1:7 with my children. I felt inspired to quote this scripture out loud everytime I felt fearful or noticed my kids show concerns of fear. I have been faithfully practicing this all week and already cant believe the changes I feel and see. I truly believe whatever our struggle may be if we turn to the scriptures we will be empowered. Jesus Christ rebuked Satan with scriptures each time he tempted him after his 40 day fast. Christ is our perfect example. I am excited to use scriptures to over come my feelings of fear.

I love that so much. We have a choice, will we let fear control us (thus allowing the evil one to control us) or do we let our faith in Jesus Christ rein in our lives, the choice is yours and mine.

Eleanor Roosevelt said the following:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” (Karen McAuley, Eleanor Roosevelt, New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987, p. 105.)

I found this really good talk and I would like to quote some of it below.

Fear

Virginia H. PearceFirst Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

http://lds.org/ensign/1992/11/fear?lang=eng

After the death of Christ, Paul was converted and became a great missionary. He had a junior companion, whom he loved as a father loves his own son. When we pick up their story in 2 Timothy, they are separated in their service. Timothy is lonely and afraid—being a missionary can be a fearful business. Paul is in prison in Rome. He writes Timothy a letter: “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son. …

“I thank God … that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

“Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears.”  2 Tim. 1:2–4

Isn’t that a tender letter? Pretend it is coming to you from one who is mindful of your tears.

Paul then goes on to remind Timothy of his strengths: “I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee.”  2 Tim. 1:5 He reminds Timothy that both his grandmother and his mother were women of faith.

Think of some of the strengths that your grandmothers and mother have passed on to you.

Then Paul asks Timothy to remember to use the gift of the Holy Ghost: “I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”  2 Tim. 1:6

Are you remembering that you have had hands laid on your head—that you have been given a gift? Use that gift to conquer your fears!

And then my favorite part of the letter: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Tim. 1:7

Are those just the things you want when you are fearful—power, love, the ability to think clearly?

Paul ends one of his letters: “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”  Titus 3:15

All that are with me salute you. We love you and are aware of your fears and your faith. I bear you my witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he loves me, that he loves each of you, and that he will help us to replace our fears with faith. I say these things in his name, amen.

Craig