Infused with Inner Strength

In the Bible text from II Timothy we are reminded, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Another word for fear is dread. When I first came upon that definition, it became clear to me there were too many things in my life I was dreading. And it was definitely time to replace dread with the power and the love and the sound mind that God has given to us all!

Dreading can be one of the “silent stealers.” It chips away at our present joy and always imagines the worst scenario. If anyone ever had anything to dread, it was the shepherd boy David’s encounter with the giant Goliath. How wonderful to read in the Bible, despite this awful threat, David ran to meet Goliath! No dread there, only the confident assurance of victory with God!

There is one significant statement that helped heal me of dreading far too many situations in my life, and it is found in Philippians 4: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The Amplified Bible’s version of that is, “I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him who infuses inner strength in me; I am selfsufficient in Christ’s sufficiency).”

How wonderful is that!! God has equipped each and every one of us with His strength and power to do whatever it is for us to do each day. He will help us every step of the way; therefore, there is never anything to dread!

With the holiday season approaching, many look upon it with eager anticipation, while others, with dread. If you fall into the latter category, remember Christmas is a holy time and, as Mrs. Eddy says so beautifully, “I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my conception of Truth’s appearing.”

Let this be your Christmas prayer. Know, with God’s help, you are “ready for anything and equal to anything!” God will surely “infuse you with His inner strength,” and it will be not only for this time, but for all time!