Good FaithNäide

When you hear stories of people making a big impact and taking big steps of faith, it’s easy to think, That’s good for them, but not so much for me. I could never do something like that! Honestly, we’ve all been there! It’s easy to count ourselves out of believing we’re capable of being used in both big and small ways by God. Honestly, Timothy, Paul’s young friend, probably felt the same way.

Watching Paul do so many amazing things in the name of faith was probably simultaneously encouraging and discouraging. It’s cool to see someone else do amazing things, but at the same time, it’s easy to disqualify ourselves from being capable of doing the same things. But Paul took the time to remind Timothy that he was more than capable and qualified to be used in big ways by God. Why? Because God’s Spirit was there to help and equip him. With that Spirit to provide power, love, self-discipline, and everything else he’d ever possibly need to let God use his life and faith to make an impact, what could stop him?

The good news is the same is true for us! When we find ourselves operating out of timidity—when we attempt to count ourselves out—we can remember that the Spirit of God wants to do so much more in us and through us. It’s in that power, love, and self-discipline that we can step out on faith.