“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
The definition of timidity according to the dictionary is:
1. fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
2. fearfulness in venturing into new and unknown places or activities
Can I share a little secret? There’s an area in my life where I feel like I have a spirit of timidity. Anyone else in the same boat?
Before I share my heart, I have to apologize to anyone who reads this and thinks “Why didn’t she tell me? Why am I reading this on her blog?” Nothing is set in stone and sometimes I express myself better through writing than I do talking 🙂
There’s a chance John and I will be leaving Oklahoma in the near future, and although I am excited and feel like it’s time for a new journey, I am also afraid of the unknown.
When I moved to Oklahoma 10 years ago, I knew ONE person. I was so excited to be living out my childhood dream of going to OU, but those first six months or so were SO hard! Why? Because I was lonely.
Loneliness sucks! I really don’t want to live out those early days at OU again, but I look back and see that moving to Oklahoma was part of God’s plan for me. It took a while, but I ended up meeting life-long friends and making Oklahoma my (second) home. (I’m a Texan at heart folks!)
A friend of mine recently blogged about their three year anniversary living in Virginia. Here’s what she shared:
“We loved our 10 years in Oklahoma. It was the best of times and it was the worst of times–literally. But the only things that can’t be replaced in our new State are our friends and family (and apparently our trampoline). But fortunately our relationships are also the only things we can carry with us as we move. We are thankful for our old friends, new friends, and the friends we haven’t met yet. We know that someday if we move again, it’s the people we will miss… and maybe the drive-in theater.”
John and I have considered moving several times, but for some reason it never felt like the right time. Now, despite my fear of the unknown, I don’t feel like anything is holding us in Oklahoma.
Yes, we have very special friends here, but like my friend said, our friends and family will always be our friends and family no matter where we live.
I fear not living as close to my family. I dread packing up my house. I fear those feelings of loneliness. BUT….
“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
Holley Gerth breaks this verse down like this:
POWER – We don’t have to live in our strengths on our own. The Spirit is the One who enables us to do what we’re called to do.
SELF-DISCIPLINE – Even in the times when we don’t feel like obeying, the Spirit will held us do God’s will.
LOVE – Whatever God wants us to do is ultimately about love, and the only way we can love like he does is through the Spirit within us.
Do you have a spirit of timidity these days? If so, what is it you fear? Remember, God doesn’t want us to live with a spirit of fear! His perfect love casts out all fear! (1 John 4:18)
I’m so excited for what God has planned for your little family. It’s not exciting thinking about you moving…but I know that no matter where you, John, and Jackson are, you will always be a part of my life. I will definitely miss your cooking. 🙁
Well, that *is* big news and a big change! I feel sort of the same way–would be open to moving as well when things are settled, but it’s a huge decision.
2 Tim 1:7 has gotten me through so much in my life. I was about as timid a person as you would ever meet in what feels like another life. I can’t wait to see where the Lord leads and how He guides.