Fear is loud. It has a way of filling up every room, drowning out every promise, and making the impossible feel inevitable. And if you’re not careful, fear will make every decision for you.

But God never meant for you to live that way.

2 Timothy 1:7 is direct about it — “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Let that sink in. Fear did not come from God. Which means when fear shows up — you are not obligated to let it in.

Now I’m not talking about wisdom. Wisdom tells you to look both ways before you cross the street. I’m talking about that paralyzing fear that keeps you from stepping out in faith. The fear that tells you you’ll fail before you even try. The fear that has you playing it safe when God is calling you to step out.

That kind of fear is a spirit. And it doesn’t belong in your life.

Think about Peter walking on water. The moment he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the impossible. The moment he looked at the waves — at the size of the problem, at the logic of the situation — he started to sink.

Fear will always point you to the waves. Faith keeps your eyes on Jesus.

What is fear keeping you from right now? The business you won’t start. The conversation you won’t have. The step of faith you’ve been putting off for months — maybe years.

God has not given you a spirit of fear. He’s given you power. He’s given you love. He’s given you a sound mind.

It’s time to use them.

Step out of the boat.

-Terrence Burton