The Holy Spirit: My Timely Traveling Companion Through Fear
This article about the Holy Spirit was written by Shirley Desmond Jackson
Forcing myself to slow my breathing, I glanced down at my map app. “Fifteen minutes. Only fifteen minutes to the airport. I can handle anything for fifteen minutes,” I promised myself. All the while I tried to push away the reality that in those fifteen minutes I would have to travel on three different highways.
A few months earlier I had been accepted into a training program for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction. The in-person training, conducted in a different state, challenged me to learn skills outside of my current wheelhouse. But it was navigating the airport and highways of an unfamiliar city that pushed my comfort-loving soul to its limit. I had just pulled into my hotel’s parking lot when a mechanical malfunction in the rental car sent me back to the airport.
Hearing the Holy Spirit
When I finally arrived at the rental company, I unclenched my hands from the steering wheel and exchanged the car. Still tense, I fretted over my return to the hotel. Suddenly, I heard the now-familiar small, still voice of the Holy Spirit:
“You must love what you are doing for you to push through all this discomfort.”
With those words came clarity—and the reminder of a beloved Bible verse:
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. —2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
The Apostle Paul originally wrote these words to a young evangelist, Timothy (1 Timothy 1:1-2). In Paul’s letters we find several reasons why Timothy struggled with timidity:
- Others may have doubted his competency since he was so young (1 Timothy 4:12).
- His frequent illnesses could have left him vulnerable (1 Timothy 5:23).
- He lived in a world which severely persecuted Christians (2 Timothy 3:10-12).
The Struggle is Real
I have often felt drawn to Timothy. Like him, I can be hindered in my walk with Jesus by doubting my qualifications. At times I’ve felt too young, too inexperienced, or too untrained to serve God’s people. Lately, as I aged and hit retirement years, I wondered if I was too old to be relevant or to be trained in new skills (can old dogs learn new tricks?).
Throughout the various seasons of my life, I’ve battled anxiety, stress, and fatigue. Each of these threatened to dim the light I wanted to shine for Jesus. Negative reactions to my faith can tempt me to shrink back and to be quiet.
When Timothy felt fear raging against his soul, Paul wanted him to remember the proven solution: God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit Timothy received everything he needed to face his fears: power, love, and self-discipline.
Related Post: Don’t Face Your Fears, Face Jesus
Face Your Fears
As I put the new rental car in drive, I remembered all the times fear raged against my soul. Jesus offers me, and all believers, the same gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). In each of those situations the Spirit gave me what I needed to step out of my comfort zone and to face my fears.
The Holy Spirit reminded me that I do love what I am doing. As a Spiritual Director I can help God’s people deepen their relationship with Him. God’s love for me, and my love for Him and His people prompted me to apply for this training. The Spirit empowered me to leave my comfort zone so I could learn these new skills. And He infused me with His self-discipline so I could push through the obstacles of a failed rental car and unknown highways.
My clenched hands relaxed on the steering wheel. My breaths slowed. And I no longer counted the minutes remaining on my drive. Fear had raged against my soul, but the Holy Spirit delivered me and brought me to a posture of peaceful trust.
Do You Struggle with Fear?
Fear attacks all of us, but in different ways. Your struggle with fear might look different from my rental car moment. Maybe you:
- worry about the consequences of your children’s decisions.
- anticipate rejection from sharing a needed, but difficult, conversation with a friend.
- face the uncertainty of an unexpected medical diagnosis.
Whatever your situation, call on the Holy Spirit, and trust Him to help you. I’d love to hear how He met you in your own moment of fear.
Related Post: Our Comforter in Every Crisis
The next time fear rages against our souls, let’s remember Jesus has given us everything we need. The Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline already lives within us.
Are You Living An Abundant Life?
Live Inspired
Too often our outward appearance of success and achievement mask the inner turmoil of our hearts and souls. We believe working harder will solve the problem, but it just makes us more tired. Pick up Shirley’s book to learn how to identify the lies that fuel your self-driven nature and Live Inspired.
Thank you for sharing this story, Shirley! What a great reminder that we can do “All Things” as long as we let go of our fear and grab onto His hand.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Amy! I love your connection that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength. Amen!
Good points indeed!
Thank you, Shirley, for the reminder and your encouraging words. Overcoming fear is never easy, but oh so many blessings when we walk empowered by the Holy Spirit.