II Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (Of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
I love this verse from II Timothy because it plainly spells out what God has not given us.
Well, if these things didn't come from God, then where did they come from? They are a result of our indulgence into sin and the influence behind our actions....the devil.
The primary emotion (whether an individual wants to admit it or not) behind addiction, once the using starts, is fear. Fear of being uncovered. Fear of being caught. Fear of not having enough drugs or alcohol...fear...fear...fear. This fear becomes a huge beast which will consume the soul given over to addiction. But the Scripture clearly states that such has not been given to us by God.
In fact, the things that God has given to us (those who have been saved and are living out this new relationship with Jesus) is like a tool belt. We have the necessary things to aid us and guide us through our everyday life. No matter what we may face or run into, God has and will continue to give you what you need to move forward. To move forward and not cut and run back to the old lifestyle.
NO.# 1 thing God has given us, according to II Timothy 1:7 is a spirit of POWER! Isn't that weird that this is the first thing mentioned? Power? Yet that is the first thing mentioned in the Twelve Steps that we go in search of. A Power greater than ourselves. The search doesn't have to go far, because God is more than willing to provide this needed Power in our lives to help us.
This Power comes in the form of God's Holy Spirit given to everyone who is saved.
John 14:16 reads: And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby) that He may remain with you forever.
All of those titles given to the Holy Spirit is for our benefit to aid us through whatever we face.
If we need wisdom on how to deal with a situation, we have a Counselor.
If we are at a loss on what to do, we have a Helper.
If we are hurting so bad we don't know what to pray or how to pray, we have an Intercessor.
When we feel like the entire world is against us and we are being drowned under a tidal wave of accusation, we have an Advocate.
When we admit our powerlessness, we have a Strengthener.
And when we don't know how we are going to make it, we have a Standby...someone who is right there with us to hold us up.
This incredible presence, God's Holy Spirit, is right there 24/7...365!
Now if that don't make you feel good....I don't know what will....
Recognize who lives within you....
He understands what you are facing and is willing to guide you through whatever comes your way today.
Lean on Him!
God on you...
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