"...but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

One morning while driving home from the store with Mona, I (Hannah) was turning the corner onto our street when I saw a younger man and woman interacting in a way that caused suspicion. He was right up in her face as she flailed her arms around in the air. As I made the turn and was within sight of our house, I had many thoughts circling in my head. A few thoughts were “Were they just playing around? Does this girl really need help? Did I misunderstand what I saw? Would anyone else check on them?”

I had just a moment to decide if I should bypass my house and circle around the block to check on the situation again. In contemplating what to do, I had a whole other circle of thoughts going through my mind. A few of them were “Of course, you should check on them! What would I be able to do if this girl was being hurt? I have Mona in the car with me; what would I do with her if I needed to help?” Yet, I quickly realized that all I needed to know is do what I knew the Lord wanted me to do.

So I bypassed our house and circled around the block again. When I came up on the couple, there were now a few people who were gathering to check on the situation. When offered help, the young woman cursed at those who were offering and seemed to be the aggressor in the situation. I left feeling poorly, knowing that there was nothing more we could do to help.

I share this to encourage you as I was encouraged. That day I could have passed by and had a list of excuses as to why it was okay for me not to help. However, the truth we are called to live by is found in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

I am called to live not by fear but through the power of the Holy Spirit. This passage does not say anything about always having perfect circumstances. It challenges us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit at all times, even in those times that push us out of our comfort zone and make us uneasy or nervous. When I practice this truth, my boasting can only be in Him who gives me strength.