For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Timid
According to the Canadian website of Psychology Today, “Shyness is characterized by excessive self-consciousness, negative self-evaluation, and negative self-preoccupation, features that involve a sense of self. Since a sense of self develops around 18 months old, one can argue that people cannot be born shy. Around 20 percent of children are born with a highly reactive temperament, but that doesn’t guarantee that they will be shy or unable to change their behavior.”
***
In pastoral ministry, one of the joys is watching couples have children and then watching the children grow up into young adults. I’ve been around long enough that I’m now officiating at weddings of young people whose parents’ weddings I officiated at! The bride at one of those weddings had been a timid little girl who would cling to her mother constantly when in a crowd. Now she is a committed follower of Jesus who is bold about her faith. This is an example of what the apostle Paul speaks about in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” What changed a timid little girl into a bold follower of Jesus? The answer is simple – the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. He made the difference in the lives of the first apostles as well. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and they would be His witnesses. When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, He will embolden us to tell others about Jesus. He empowers us to love others and live a life that brings honour to Jesus as well. Invite Him to do this in you.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley