We all have memories of overcoming an early fear
- Or it getting the best of us
Today:
THE KEY TO COURAGE
To have courage, we have to have a better understanding of FEAR
FEAR:
FEELING OF FEAR vs MINDSET OF FEAR
Feeling:
Acute, monetary, based on immediate circumstances
Mindset:
Perpetual, constant, often subconscious way of thinking based on Fear
Different than anxiety/worry
Fear = scarcity mindset or the deep concern of lacking what you need
Fear is based on a perceived “LACKING”
- lack of safety
- Lack security
- Control
- Companionship
- Money
- Power
- Knowledge
The KEY to courage is found in your MINDSET
- Not “Behavior Modification”
- Mind and Spirit “TRANSFORMATION”
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
The Bible has A LOT to say about a MINDSET of fear
2 Timothy 1
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, 12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me, until that day.
CONTEXT:
- Paul to Timothy, a young church leader
- Applies to all Christian Believers who are trying to live a faithful calling
Paul gives us 3 keys to Courage
1st Key to Courage: Holy Spirit POWER
Fear = Lack
Fear makes you FEEL and THINK small by ELEVATING the perceived problem
What does this fear cause?
Overcompensation
- Not True Power, just an act
Overcompensation is us working in out OWN POWER
So does Paul mean hear about a “SPIRIT OF POWER”
Being and doing what God is calling us do be and be through the POWER of the Holy Spirit
Philippians 4
12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
It’s a matter of having the ability to do and say things which change situations, to lead in a way which others find that they want to follow, to speak words of wisdom which prove compelling, and to bring healing and hope where it’s most needed. ~ N.T. Wright
What does this POWER look like?
Proclaim the gospel with Boldness
Face Challenges with Courage
Fulfill our unique calling
Not a POWER OF PERSONALITY
- But a POWER OF FAITH in GOD
2nd Key to Courage: Holy Spirit LOVE
A fear mindset causes you to LOVE small, Retract care and selflessness (love)
Fear = Lacking ………. Love = Overflowing
Fear makes us feel out of control
- The only way to take control is to make your world smaller
- When your world gets smaller, you don’t have the space for others’ problems
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
True love is courageous
- Speaks the truth
- Desire better for the other
- Protect the other
- Willing to correct the other
One last thing here…
Power W/O Love is DESTRUCTIVE
Love W/O Power is Wishy-washy weakness
Love + Power = To be like Jesus
- Came in both love and power
- Choose when to use both
Leads us to…
3rd Key to Courage: Holy Spirit WISDOM
- Sound mind
- Self discipline
- self Control
Wisdom = Making the right decision/choices even when you don’t have all the facts
- If you have all the facts, it’s easy to make the right decision
FEAR = LACK
Fear makes you THINK small
A mind led by fear becomes IRRATIONAL and Foolish
Irrational/foolish choices
- Make a foolish relationship choice = Scared of not being enough/alone
- takes a foolish risk that you don’t need = Scare of others’ opinions
- Make a purchase you can’t afford = To impress others
What is our hope for wisdom?
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually
Process of Wisdom = Leading Yourself -> Leading Others
What does Holy Spirit Wisdom look like?
- Discipline
- Character
- Perseverance
- Transformed Mind
- Confidence under pressure
- Hope in hard circumstances
Not having ALL the answers
But knowing where to go to get them
The World needs COURAGEOUS
- Parents
- Students
- Leaders
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.