For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

– 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

What’s it like to know that God doesn’t expect you to be a wimp? What does it do to your self-image to know that God loves you, treasures you, values you, upholds you and expects you to be bold in your witness to others? What’s it like to be saddled with the responsibility of properly wielding power, love and self-discipline — to be trusted with such attributes?

It should be quite life changing, really.

It should also be noted that power, love and self-discipline form a powerful triad.

Power alone is dangerous. Someone will get hurt. But power plus love means that you’re looking out for the best interest of others. Toss in some self-discipline and it’s power, guided by love yet given healthy boundaries.

Love alone is not enough. It must be propelled, or powered, in order to make a difference. It also needs self-discipline, which is required to actually make the decision to love, even when it doesn’t seem easy.

Self-discipline alone is not enough. It must have a reason, a purpose and a use — to be used by God for his purposes and empowered by Him. It needs love, because we must be self-disciplined by love’s motive and not any other.

Power, love, self-discipline. This balance has been given to you by God and should ease any kind of timidity that might hold you back from being the vessel He wants you and I to be.