This verse is powerful, at times we'll all have a spirit of fear, or anxiety but when we are born again and Jesus in our heart. He removes that fear, it no longer has control ... it tries to control you but keep believing that we who are in Christ have POWER, LOVE and SOUND MIND.
So when your carnal self tells you other wise, rebuke it in Jesus name, put all of you armour on, lift up your shield of faith and do the exact opposite.
I use to be in the bondage of fear of driving, driving to drop my daughter off to school seemed impossible and only possible in my dreams.
I read 2 Timothy 1: 7 many times and thought I'd never get out of this bondage. My faith was faithless.
But one day when my pastor (Ted Evans) was preaching about Jubilee, about freedom, about receiving back the blessings. I yearned in my heart to be free from this distasteful bondage. I left his service in deep thought and decided I needed to get rid of this phobia.
I wanted out, ... there was also a seniors meeting at my church and I thought I'd attend even though I wasn't elderly.
The songs they sang was old and classic and beautiful. The preacher then - named John Bennett preached about who we are in Christ, and handed out a piece of paper that had all the positive things about who I am in Christ.
As I received this paper the verse from many verse that stuck out to me was 2 Timothy 1: 7. I knew the Holy Spirit was talking to me, he obviously wanted me free... I wanted badly to be free too. Not just partial freedom, but COMPLETE freedom.
At first my attempt to go in the car and sit in the drivers seat was so scary, I froze, then allowed my husband to drive.
I was disappointed at myself, I read 2 Timothy again and told myself off for doubting.
I realised that inorder to overcome this fear, I had to work with Spirit to Spirit.
My soul was dominating my spirit and ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Since that moment, I made sure to deny my soul it's dominance even if it meant starting the day with prayer and leaning on Jesus.
Some days I'm able to wake up earlier than usual to pray, other days; now that it's winter if I don't wake up as early, I still put God first. I tell God how much I love him and vowed never to go back into the lie that I would die if I drive.
I checked my spiritual armour and realised that whenever it came to driving my shield of faith would be cast down, allowing the arrows of doubt and anxiety to fall on me.
Another verse stood out. Faith without works is dead. Once again, I was disappointed with myself and repented of my dead faith.
I rechecked and re-evaluated my armour, I prayed for confidence and repeated 2 Timothy 1: 7, I walked around the car and prayed over it. I then got into the car (a different day), prayed again, and drove...but with hubby in the car and my daughter encouraging me that I could do it. I broke out and it felt good, my mind was sound, my fear gone, and what was impossible, was possible.
This new found courage, boldness, power, love and sound mind was already there. All I needed to do was rule over my carnal nature, welcome the Holy Spirit to rule over my spirit and soul so that I can be his useful vessel, not clogged up with fear.
Today I drive my daughter to school without hubby on the passenger seat. And as I take small steps the next step/goal is to drive with my daughter and I to church...alone but not alone because the Holy Spirit is with me.
This has taken me almost five years to overcome, but I've learnt if I fall, I must stand up again, keep trying, keep moving forward even if I took a break for a few years.
I fully believe by relying on Jesus I was able to be strong in my weakness. Through prayer, through confession to my Christian friends, and getting their prayer support, through admittance of my past phobia, I am able.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I believe it, I did it and I know that if anyone who has a phobia, anxiety or fear. You can overcome because you have the power and sound mind too.
Just lift up your hands and declare you receive that promise. Yes it will take time but it will happen. And Jesus will use it to show others that only through him all things are possible.
I now wake up with an EXPECTANT heart and when my carnal nature tries to rise and say no. I rebuke it and claim The promise of 2 Timothy and do the opposite of what my carnal nature says which is yes, I will drive, I will go, I will please my saviour rather than listen to my imperfect being. SPIRIT TO SPIRIT, not SOUL TO SPIRIT.
Thank you Jesus for your patience with me, I pray you continue to use me , mould me and to be the vessel and warrior you want me to be. Let your will be done in my life. AMEN.