Sitting here at my desk in my comfortable middle-class house in Springfield, Missouri, USA today's verse should never be an issue. Sure, I have concerns involving work, family, retirement, etc. But fear? That should never enter into the picture.
However for millions of people around the world, today's verse would need to be conjoined with Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How can the people in Mosul where beheadings, rape, and torture are daily occurrences be expected to apply 2 Timothy 1:7?
A spirit of "power and love and self-control" for the 870 million people in the world who are chronically malnourished? What about the over 600,000 homeless Americans?
God did not inspire these words to Paul while Paul was sitting in a comfortable Lazy-Boy recliner. Paul was a regular guest of Roman prisons. His life after his conversion was much closer to the people groups mentioned above than my life in Springfield, MO.
I believe that the Bible has relevance for all people, in all geographic locales, for all generations. But to be able to apply verses such as today's when living in the conditions so many of the world does, is truly impossible without the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit.
For a nonChristian to receive the blessings from God, it is impossible because it is only through a relationship with Him that we have the strength to grasp His blessings.
Please take some time right now to say a prayer for the persecuted, hungry, scared around the world. May God's spirit become a presence in their life.
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