In these challenging times we turn to the Word of God for our comfort and direction.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 the Apostle Paul says, "For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND."

As we face all the challenges that are before us individually and as a nation, Paul emphatically declares, "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear."

Then Paul mentions THREE THINGS God has given us as believers in Christ:

No.1 – POWER

If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you have the POWER OF GOD resident within you!

In the Book of Ephesians Paul says IT IS THE VERY POWER THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD! Therefore, we are not to panic or walk in fear, because "Greater is He that is in us then he that is in the world" [1 John 4:4].

No.2 – LOVE

The word "love" here, is the word "agape", which is God's love. Because Jesus lives in us as believers we now have God's nature, which is love. So in light of all that is happening around us, we are to walk in the love of God: LOVING GOD AND LOVING OTHERS. There was a video that went viral last week showing three women in a grocery store fighting over toilet paper, of all things! How sad! Do you think they could use a dose of the love of God?

Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

As we abide in Christ and yield our lives to the Holy Spirit, this fruit will be manifested in and through our lives toward others. May the love of Christ in this time, and always, reign supreme in our lives.

No.3 – SOUND MIND

Other translations translate this phrase: "calm and well-balanced mind", "sound judgment", "self-restraint", "wise discretion"

All this comes from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

And folks, if you have POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND, as the scripture declares you have in Christ, you’re in good shape!

God's going to see us through this crisis and every challenge in front of us as we walk in His power, His love, and maintain a sound mind!