Fears
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
At camp everyone knows what the Leap of Faith is because that telephone pole stands towering over the rest of camp. For many years as a camper I would look up at the pole with fear, knowing that I was terrified of heights. Most of my classes as a camper included swimming, horse back riding, tennis, and landsports. I tended to avoid high ropes and the wall as much as possible.
Unfortunately this fear of heights inhibited me from trying something new. Then my senior-senior year we all took a cabin trip up to the Leap of Faith one day. Walking up to the pole I had it in the back of my head that I was not going to put on the harness and climb up to the top. As the first two friends put on their harnesses I sat and watched in admiration; I wish I could build up the courage to put on the harness and climb to the top, but I didn’t think that was possible.
Then one of my friends walked over and asked, “Sarah will you do the Leap of Faith with me?” At this point I didn’t think I could say no; this was one of my best friends asking me to do something that for so long I had avoided.
So I agreed to attempt the Leap of Faith. I mean I had seen other people do it, so why couldn’t I at least try. My friend agreed to climb first because she had done the Leap many times and said it would be easier if I just got to the top and jumped, not thinking about how high up I was from the ground. So I waited patiently as she climbed to the top and then began my climb.
Once I reached the top she was there with an outstretched hand to help me stand up on the block at the top. Finally I had reached the top and was ready to jump. My friend counted down from 5 and before I knew it we were mid air reaching for the trapeze bar. The entire experience was scary and exciting and I am so glad that I had accepted my friend’s offer.
Isn’t this what God does with us as we face our fears? He walks up with us and asks us if we will face them with Him by our side.
All we have to do is start the journey. Do not let your fears hinder you. The Lord tells us in Joshua to be courageous because He is with us wherever we go. Just prior to this verse Joshua has just been appointed the leader of the people. Now, leading people can be a scary thing, but the Lord told Joshua He was with him and to not be afraid.
Trust the Lord and know that in whatever fears or challenges you face He is with you.