Russell Media - Laurie

Do your fears ever overtake you - paralyzing you, either momentarily or long-term, to the point where you sit out on life?

Fear is a strong force that God may use to protect and guide us but it’s also a tool the enemy will use to keep us in stalemate preventing us from experiencing and trusting God.

A few weeks ago our daughter had her end-of-the-season soccer party at a new gym in our area. It’s in an old warehouse and high above our party was the ropes course with six platforms and in-between each iss a variety of ropes and obstacles.

It looked awesome and the girls immediately asked about it. The manager offered us a deal if each child had an adult to accompany them. We couldn’t pass it up so we did the mini-training, strapped in and waited our turn to climb the rope ladder.

I was with my son, Noah, who quickly climbed the ladder as I belayed him. He made it look easy and I was eager to join him at top. However, as I began my climb the narrow ladder, it began to twist and sway. I quickly realized it was going to be trickier than it appeared.

I felt uncoordinated as I climbed. When it came time for me to reach from the ladder and step onto the platform, a fear of heights took over me that I had never experienced before. I stood on the platform, grasping the pole and afraid to move. I wanted to go down - immediately.

I didn’t want to let Noah down so I tried to gather my nerves. He waited for me to clip him in to his first course while I mentally tried to think of a way to get out of it and without disappointing him. Maybe he’ll hate and “need” me to go down with him.

No such luck – he loved it.

It was my turn to lean out, grab the rope and step off the firm platform onto a swinging rope. It was unnerving and I hated it at first but I didn’t fall and even ended the day with an adrenaline high.

Here are a few life lessons it taught me.

1. Straight paths are not always easy. In Proverbs 3 we’re encouraged to trust in God and not our own understanding. But just because God directs us to a path, it doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be easy. My fears (understanding) told me to quit. However, if I had listened, I would have missed out on a great bonding time with my son. It was worth the struggle.
2. Taking the 1st step is not always the hardest part. For me, taking the 2nd and 3rd steps was harder. Each one took me further from the platform and my safety blanket. It was even scarier at the end when I had to take one hand off of the rope to climb onto the next platform. It required me letting go and reaching out to another for help. Every step of our path we are dependent upon God and others – and this is a good thing.
3. “Healthy” pride won’t lead to a fall. It keeps us from sitting out on life. I was with my son and his ability to continue on the ropes course was dependent on me staying with him. I didn’t want him to see me as a mom who quits on him. So I struggled on. My pride didn’t want to disappoint him so it spurred me on.

There have been times in life where fear kept me from trying. I didn’t send a query letter because I feared the rejection. I didn’t talk to a person because I feared looking foolish. I didn’t apply for a position because I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle the position.

God broke through that day. He reminded me that He enables us and He clears the right path for us. It may not be smooth sailing the whole way but the bonding and joy He gives us are more than worth it.

Do you have fears that prevent you from stepping out?

What has God taught you as you tackled your fears?

Do your fears ever overtake you - paralyzing you, either momentarily or long-term, to the point where you sit out on life?

Fear is a strong force that God may use to protect and guide us but it’s also a tool the enemy will use to keep us in stalemate preventing us from experiencing and trusting God.

A few weeks ago our daughter had her end-of-the-season soccer party at a new gym in our area. It’s in an old warehouse and high above our party was the ropes course with six platforms and in-between each iss a variety of ropes and obstacles.

It looked awesome and the girls immediately asked about it. The manager offered us a deal if each child had an adult to accompany them. We couldn’t pass it up so we did the mini-training, strapped in and waited our turn to climb the rope ladder.

I was with my son, Noah, who quickly climbed the ladder as I belayed him. He made it look easy and I was eager to join him at top. However, as I began my climb the narrow ladder, it began to twist and sway. I quickly realized it was going to be trickier than it appeared.

I felt uncoordinated as I climbed. When it came time for me to reach from the ladder and step onto the platform, a fear of heights took over me that I had never experienced before. I stood on the platform, grasping the pole and afraid to move. I wanted to go down - immediately.

I didn’t want to let Noah down so I tried to gather my nerves. He waited for me to clip him in to his first course while I mentally tried to think of a way to get out of it and without disappointing him. Maybe he’ll hate and “need” me to go down with him.

No such luck – he loved it.

It was my turn to lean out, grab the rope and step off the firm platform onto a swinging rope. It was unnerving and I hated it at first but I didn’t fall and even ended the day with an adrenaline high.

Here are a few life lessons it taught me.

1. Straight paths are not always easy. In Proverbs 3 we’re encouraged to trust in God and not our own understanding. But just because God directs us to a path, it doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be easy. My fears (understanding) told me to quit. However, if I had listened, I would have missed out on a great bonding time with my son. It was worth the struggle.
2. Taking the 1st step is not always the hardest part. For me, taking the 2nd and 3rd steps was harder. Each one took me further from the platform and my safety blanket. It was even scarier at the end when I had to take one hand off of the rope to climb onto the next platform. It required me letting go and reaching out to another for help. Every step of our path we are dependent upon God and others – and this is a good thing.
3. “Healthy” pride won’t lead to a fall. It keeps us from sitting out on life. I was with my son and his ability to continue on the ropes course was dependent on me staying with him. I didn’t want him to see me as a mom who quits on him. So I struggled on. My pride didn’t want to disappoint him so it spurred me on.

There have been times in life where fear kept me from trying. I didn’t send a query letter because I feared the rejection. I didn’t talk to a person because I feared looking foolish. I didn’t apply for a position because I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle the position.

God broke through that day. He reminded me that He enables us and He clears the right path for us. It may not be smooth sailing the whole way but the bonding and joy He gives us are more than worth it.

Do you have fears that prevent you from stepping out?

What has God taught you as you tackled your fears?

Have you ever had the opportunity do something big, something special you always dreamed about? The moment arrives and you freeze up. Your heart races, your breath quickens and you limbs feel weak. What you were once excited about becomes dread and you ask yourself why you thought you could do it in the first place.

When our daughter, Anastasia, was four-years-old, she begged to take a dance class. She had been dancing around our house since the time she could walk. She had spent numerous hours watching big bro in all of his activities and it was “her time” to enter the ring.

The day of her first class, she put on her leotard four hours early and had me fix her hair in two little buns. She danced around the house proclaiming, “I just can’t wait!”

Later, when we pulled up into the parking lot of the studio and her excitement began to dwindle. Nervously, she played with her fingers. The thrill that was once in her voice turned into shy whispers.

We waited in the hallway for the teacher and she clung to my leg. Finally the door opened and out popped a perky college student. She invited the little girls into the classroom. Immediately Anastasia turned to me and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, “I’m scared. I can’t go mommy!”

I understood her fear. The unknown hiding behind the big door was intimidating. Her dreams of being a ballerina were now overshadowed by doubt and fear. But…it was her time, she was ready for – she just didn’t know it.

I pulled her little face up to see mine, “I know you can do this sweetie. You’re strong and brave. This is your chance to try a real dance class.”

To my amazement it worked! She smiled, turned around and walked bravely into the class. All she needed was affirmation on her ability.

God knows we’re scared when He calls us out of our comfort zone and offers us encouragement to take that step.

After Moses died, God commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Repeatedly He told him to be “strong and courageous”, not to be terrified or discouraged. By stepping out and overcoming these valid emotions, Joshua had the honor of seeing God work through him.

Fear can paralyze us but genuine praise enables us.

So the next time you find yourself nervously waiting in the hallway for your turn, pray like crazy and listen for the affirming words of God and others.

And never be stingy with genuine affirming words. It’s amazing the power they deliver.

Last week our family went camping up in the mountains - our last hoorah of summer. The drive was gorgeous. A few hours into our trip, we passed a sign informing us we were 16 miles from our destination. Twenty minutes and we’d be there.

As I looked around at the mountains I noticed an odd plane flying low in the foothills. We’ve had a dry summer in Idaho with many grass and forest fires. I wondered if there was a small fire in the area they were trying to put out.

The road wrapped around a curve and we saw it. A huge cloud of smoke was pouring out the side of the mountain. It looked like the beginnings of a forest fire. The crews were arriving, assessing the situation and awaiting their orders. It was an eery feeling as we drove closer and closer. My first instinct was to turn around and head back towards Boise.

I mentioned this idea to Mark – sixteen miles seemed a bit too close. Our beetle-infested trees are kindling for a fire. Fear emerged as I imagined the worst. Mark reminded me that the roads were still opened and if it were too dangerous the forest rangers would evacuate us.

So we drove on and arrived at our campground. Mark went to sign in with the campground manager. It was taking a while so I joined him to see if there was a problem.

Mark had an odd smile on his face. He looked a bit nervous actually. It was the same timid expression he wears when he’s about to tell me something he knows will set me off, ahem, I mean make me a little upset.

I joined the two men and the campground manager turned to me, “We’ve had bears visit the campground every night this week. The berries froze this year and they are hungry. Now they’ve discovered human food and they want more.”

Uh…

“It’s just black bears but last night one raised to it’s hind legs. That’s a sign of aggression. So keep your site clean and your dogs in your tent. Oh and bundle up. It’s going to be a low of 25 in a few nights.”

Now I love the outdoors – it’s our escape. However, there is still a part in me that is pure city. At that moment the city girl in me was quickly emerging and I was moments away from informing Mark I wanted to go home.

We turned and headed back to our car where our 7 and 9 yr-old were waiting for us. They were giddy. This was the trip they had waited for all summer. I didn’t want to take it from them. Was my fear a protective fear from God or was it my flesh wanting to flee and take the easy road?

We decided to stay. That first night it took a while for me to fall asleep but I finally dozed off. A few hours later I’m abruptly awaken.

“Git on outta here! Go! Git bear, git!” bang, slam, bang

I couldn’t breath. I felt paralyzed. The bear was a couple sites over. All that separated us was space and a thin piece of material.

Our dogs began to growl. Should I shush them or let them bark?

I woke Mark. He kept us quiet. Moments later I heard a similar commotion at a site behind us. Oh no, he’s moving around!

I’ve never felt such a pounding fear before. All of a sudden I had an urge to pee. The clashing of these two sensations was not pleasant. Yikes! The minutes ticked on then all was quiet. The bear was gone and so was my sleep.

The next morning we talked about the bear at breakfast. The kids had slept through the whole ordeal. However, they thought it was cool, an adventure. Go figure.

Fear is a powerful tool. It can give us that fight or flight response. It can also paralyze us. All three responses can be healthy but they can also be unhealthy and unproductive. We can be deterred from what God has in store for us or where He is leading us.

This camping trip was a blessing. We bonded over our bear stories. We sat around the campfire, cuddled and fought off the frigid cold. If we had fled like my first instinct, we would have missed all of these memories.

Wisdom is required with fear. Jesus feared the Cross. He could have fled but he didn’t. He had spent the previous night in prayer so He knew what was required of Him. He fought off the fear and because of it we all have been bonded together as a family.

How does fear affect you? Any stories on how God has used it in your life?

Any advice on how you decipher fear?