Timothy was a protégé of the apostle Paul. Timothy had been raised in the faith and had probably heard some of the twelve apostle’s firsthand accounts of being with Jesus. He knew the Scriptures and the workings of the Church. As a young pastor, Paul wrote Timothy two letters of encouragement and instructions.

In 2 Timothy, Paul told Timothy that he prayed for him everyday and he reminded Timothy of his godly heritage. Then he said, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)  Timothy had received spiritual gifts and anointings through Paul himself laying hands on him. In today’s time, that would be like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Bill Johnson, Bobby Conner or another of the generals personally imparting into your life. It would be like Benny Hinn imparting the gift of healing into you and then calling you up a few months later and say, ‘Now don’t waste the gift I shared with you. Stir it up and use it.’

Then Paul gave Timothy a key: For God has not given us a spirit of fear. Paul understood that the number one reason not to use the gifts given to us is fear. Now there are some general fear factors that most of us have to deal with:

·        Fear of Failure: So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:7)   It’s not our problem whether the gifts work or don’t, our responsibility is to use them. God is the One who has the responsibility to protect His reputation and He is big enough and strong enough to do it. The only failure we have is if we do not use the gifts imparted to us. All the rest belongs to God.

·        Fear of Going into the Unknown: “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:29-30) If God is sending us out, He will always go before us. The most dangerous place to be is where God did not tell you to be – whether that is in your home, down the street, or in Timbuktu.

·        Fear of Not Having the Resources: “Whoever goes to war at his own expense?” (1 Corinthians 9:7) A soldier going into battle is not responsible to provide for his own care and expenses. God will not call us to something that He will not also provide for our care – it may not be to your liking, but He will provide. 

·        Fear of What Other Think: “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25) Who are you ultimately trying to please? Man or God?  The fear of man is really about wanting to maintain your reputation, but if you have really, truly died to your old self and are living for God, only your reputation with God matters. Be more concerned with what God thinks of you, than what someone else thinks.

Paul goes on to tell Timothy that while God has not given us a spirit of fear, He HAS given us of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) We have the power to work in the gifts imparted and given to us. We have the compassion and love to activate that gift on other’s behalf. And we have a clear, sound mind, the mind of Christ, to know and understand how, when, and where to use the gifts. We have everything we need to do what God has called us to do. Which is stronger? The desire to be used by God or the fear that is holding us back. As the saying goes:

JUST DO IT!