A Spirit of Love and Sound Mind
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
At the day’s start, we cringe as we anticipate the demands of the hours ahead. Another person’s urgent needs will call for all our physical strength, sap our emotional reserves, and fill up most of our time. Thoughts of those essential tasks overwhelm us, yet the responsibility leaves no choice. The work must be done. The care must be given. We grit our teeth, clench our fists, and determine to carry on no matter what.
But wait.
Before thoughts of heavy responsibility and unrelenting demands overwhelm you, turn your attention to God. He is strong. Completing the day’s tasks will deplete your resources, but they won’t put a dent in His. Our rugged God’s fingertip exerts more strength in a moment than a human champion could exert in 10 lifetimes. We run out of time to finish our tasks, but God sets time.
This strong, resourceful God is willing to help you. He has helped you before, and He will help you again.
We are tempted to look ahead and conclude that we will be unable to complete the routine demands of caring for our loved one. God can complete them—no problem. “Every new day he does not fail.”
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.—Proverb s 6:6–8 (NIV)
To all perfection, I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.—Psalm 119:96 (NIV)