Fear can stop us in our tracks and paralyze us, bringing our forward momentum to a screeching halt. But, when we trust in God and His unfailing word, we can overcome fear. On a family trip, I learned how trusting in God would keep me from being afraid. Even though I was suspended hundreds of feet in the air, I wasn’t afraid and I’ll share why you shouldn’t be either!
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A few years ago, my family took a trip that featured a 2-1/2 hour tour through the mountains – on a zip line! It was the highlight of the trip. Both of my sons agreed. Nothing compares to zipping through the mountains, hundreds of feet in the air!
My younger son conveyed surprise that I did it. He thought I would hesitate in fear!
He didn’t remember that I’ve led the pack on snowmobiles, snow skis and jet skis.
After thinking about his comments many times, I considered the other mothers on the tour who were afraid. There was a time when I would have been scared as well.
During my first year of clinical internship, while earning my doctorate, I participated in a high-level ropes course. That course terrified me in many ways! I surveyed the course and pleaded with my guide, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
More than 20 years have passed since that internship ropes course. I’ve since learned the key is to trust God to keep me safe and provide for me.
I compare trusting God to a muscle. Faith and trust become stronger the more you use them. When the days are hard, trusting in Him is how you make it through.
Trust in God is the antithesis to fear.
Trusting God as my guide eliminates fear
A couple of reasons contributed to my lack of fear during our family trip, even while I hung extended hundreds of feet above the ground.
First, we trusted our experienced guides who were well trained and used proper safety precautions.
In my everyday life, God is my guide.
I can trust Him to be the voice behind me that says this is the way to go.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21
He goes before us and behind us and promises that He will never leave us.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
We can fully trust Him.
God’s unfailing Word helps us overcome fear
Trusting the equipment also supported my lack of fear on the zip line tour. We had harnesses. At all times, we were attached to the zip line in one or more places.
The never-failing word of God is the equipment we use in our everyday lives. God uses His word to instruct us on what we should do and how we should do it. And, if we lack wisdom, all we have to do is ASK and He will freely give it.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Fear can stop us in our tracks, paralyzing our forward momentum. Yet, trusting in God and His truth sets us free. Because we trust in Him, we don’t need to fear.
We can freely enjoy the lives He has given us.
What fears do you need to entrust to Him today?
Resource to Break Anxiety’s Grip
No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.
We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.
In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.
She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com, Books-A-Million, and other fine book retailers.
Click here to learn more: Breaking Anxiety’s Grip.
Yes,my friend! “Perfect love casts out fear.” Oh how He loves us! Blessings to you.
It always delights my heart to see your sweet affirming comments! Thank you, from my heart!
I love doing extreme things like zip-lining and rock climbing–if only to shock my kids and help them realize that just because I’m a mom and creeping up on 50, I’m not a fossil ;). I’ve found that God’s truth sets me free to do scarier things–such as writing a blog and submitting my writing to publishers. Now those things are horrifyingly scary! But with God’s help, I can do them, too.
Oh Anita, whether it’s rock climbing, zip lining, taking a meal to a stranger, writing blog posts, or talking to publishers, the enemy loves to invoke fear to keep us from pursuing our calling in God’s kingdom. You can do all those things and more because of the One who created you and sustains you! Hope Prevails, my friend!
Beautiful reminder.
Thank you! I hope you’ll stop by again sometime. Blessings!
I have not dealt with fear well in my life. I trust that I will be fine in the end, that God will take care of me, but I guess I fear the loss and the time that it will take to get passed the worst part. I definitely work on this as I have found that more things come into my life that cause fear and cause me to lean on God. I hope that as I work my trust muscle less things will come into my life that make me begin to fear again. Thanks for writing this, it was very timely for me.
Nikki, I am thankful to our Heavenly Father that this met you where you are today. You already recognize the fear…that’s the first step. So often it creeps in and we are unaware of it. But you recognize it. Now continue to do as you said, exercise that trust muscle, and even pray that He will HELP you exercise faith and trust. He loves you and doesn’t want you to be consumed by worry and fear. He’s faithful to come along side you! Hope Prevails!
Thank you for reminding me of how powerful trusting in God is! “I compare trusting God to a muscle. Faith and trust become stronger the more you use it. When the days are hard, trusting in Him is how you make it through.” Love the way you put this!
Jann, we so often limit God by our lack of faith. Strengthen that muscle and watch what God will do!
I trust Him for the big stuff: my kid’s uncertain futur, our lack of security, financial challenges. But I’m scared of so many physical activities: swimming, bike riding, climbing. I’m very aware though that I want to conquer those things and I know my faith can help.
Gina, Tell Him your fears, then commit to trusting Him despite your fears. He will be faithful.
He showed me trusting Him, comes also when you know His character.
Fear has held me back many a time. But I am getting better, although I am not sure I would zip line 🙂 I am most grateful I can trust God with the bigger issues in my life.
This…”I compare trusting God to a muscle. Faith and trust become stronger the more you use them. When the days are hard, trusting in Him is how you make it through.”…says it all!!