2 Timothy 1 vs 7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind”.
The day before I was hoping we would publish our webpage for Women in Hope, I was reminded of how important it is to live in the truth. Anita and I sat finalizing a few things on our webpage when I received a call from our security company. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Pearson”, said the lady on the other side. “We have our vehicle outside your property, and your two dogs are running around in the street”.
Without thinking, I grabbed some boerewors braaied the night before to lure the dogs into the car, Anita the house keys, and we ran for the door. Jumping into the car, we headed out of the property, looking frantically in all directions to see if we could spot two familiar looking dogs but they were not in sight, nor was the response vehicle outside the property as our security company mentioned. I drove down the next road toward the dam when I received another call from the security company, “I am sorry, but it seems we had the wrong address.”
On receiving the second call, looking at each other in disbelief, we made our way back home. What if the dogs were home all this time? I ran to the kitchen door to call the dogs and was overjoyed when they responded by appearing at the door. We could not contain our laughter and the joy we felt as we gave each other a big hug before lifting our arms to praise and thank God. God can use all things for the good of those who love Him and as I humbled myself before God, asking for forgiveness for walking in fear rather than in faith (relying on my emotions, rather than truth), I learnt a very valuable lesson.
That morning, whilst sitting working on the webpage with the door open to the verandah, I recalled not seeing the dogs all morning. When I received the call, it made perfect sense, well almost! Was it possible that the dogs could have escaped unseen when I opened the gate for Anita earlier that morning? Had the response vehicle moved away from the property to keep track of where the dogs were heading? These were possibilities, yet highly unlikely. In that moment of panic, the facts were disregarded, and doubt set in.
The most logical thing to do on receiving the call was to look outside to see whether the dogs were home or not, and then to recall the facts, one being that the security company had mentioned that their response vehicle was parked outside our property.
Responding in fear and emotion, pressured by time, in a moment of panic, the facts are blurred and ignored, reasons we can often make poor decisions, sometimes with devasting consequences leaving a trail of heartache and disappointment.
There is no fear for those in Christ Jesus. As I get to know Him more by reading and meditating on the Word, my faith grows and I learn to trust Him more. Having a sound mind means that I can use His wisdom, Godly wisdom rather than being manipulated by fear, a tactic that the enemy uses. In order to do this, I need to learn to discern His voice, take my thoughts captive (aligning my thoughts with His truth) and renew my mind by replacing wrong thoughts with right-thinking based on the unchanging truths found in Gods’ Word.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Do not allow fear to make your decisions for you, for fear is not from God but from the devil. Submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7). It is a battle for the mind. “Do not be anxious about anything (think with a sound mind and don't be double-minded), but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil4 vs 6-8
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