Thursday, March 15, 2018

Fear, Timidity, Love and Self-discipline



As I sat down to the computer to prepare my post for this month, I had no idea what to write, so I acted wisely—I prayed!!  The following thoughts came to mind.

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline”
 (I Tim. 1:7, (New Living translation).

Earlier this month, Gloria shared with us her thoughts on this verse, reminding us to stick post-it notes around our homes to keep us focused on the task before us.  I’d like to continue reflecting on this verse.

I returned  home Tuesday, March 13, from a trip to Florida where I visited my husband’s brother and his wife, and gathered with three high school friends, one of whom lives in Florida.  The week was a blessed time of fellowship. 

As with any vacation, food was a definite part of it.  As I reflect on this verse from Second Timothy, I think of the fear and timidity I often feel around others when sharing food.  I am timid about turning down food offered to me/prepared for me by others.  I fear offending them, yet I know how overeating or eating certain foods sets up a craving within me that is often difficult to curtail.  Although I did say, “no” while in Florida, I said “no” with fear and self-consciousness.

And the thought comes to me if I know I am going into such a situation, I need to prepare myself by praying—praying for a spirit of love and of self-discipline, praying that the Holy Spirit give me the words to say, in love, to turn down food I know is harmful to me and that He fill me with the self-discipline I need to turn down such foods.

No comments:

Post a Comment