Many years ago, I was in a car wreck, and it caused me to become afraid of driving. I kept trying, and friends would attempt to help, but the fear was so bad I would jump out of the car! After becoming a Christian, I knew I could ask the Lord for help. What the Holy Spirit led me to do, was to fight using His Word! The scriptures call fear a spirit:
For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7
Let’s break down this scripture in it’s original Greek so you understand fully it’s meaning:
Spirit of Fear (Greek:pneuma & deilia) Evil demon of Fear.
Power (Greek: dynamis) power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul
Love (Greek: agapē ) affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love
Sound Mind (Greek: sōphronismos) an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control.
According to Timothy, you should be walking in power, love and a sound mind! Anywhere you are not, could be because of a spirit of fear!
What the Holy Spirit led me to do, was to practice driving around my mom’s neighborhood, while meditating on scripture. Before I continue, this is what scriptural meditation means:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
Meditate (Hebrew: hâgâh) mutter, utter, speak
God tells Joshua to speak continually (meditate) His Word, so he will obey it, and have prosperity along with good success. For a couple of days, I drove the short blocks in my mom’s neighborhood while she sat next to me. My mom is atheist and while I was living with her, I was forbidden to speak the name of Jesus or attend Church. (For a short season I moved back with my mom after I went through a divorce at 23.) I very quietly, under my breath, muttering over and over “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind!” Thankfully she was hard of hearing in her left ear! I think I muttered the scripture a few hundred times while driving!
After a couple of days, mom said “Why don’t you try Memorial Drive now?” Which was the main street her neighborhood was off of. By faith, as I pulled onto Memorial Drive, still muttering scripture, I felt “something” lift off of my shoulders. Suddenly, ALL fear of driving left! I believe that a spirit of fear left me!
I have been driving for many years now with liberty, and no fear!