Tag Archives: fear

Throwback Sundays…Life is Calling. How Far Will You Go?

I wrote this post back in April. I was in the middle of wrestling with God about what He had for me next. Was I supposed to stay in Appleton at The CORE or go? I think deep down I knew from the beginning the answer was go….I was just to afraid to acknowledge it.

Risk was a recurring theme in my life then and it has been again lately. I feel God saying, “I’m calling. How far will you go?” I’ve said to several of my friends lately that I feel like I’m on the brink of something…like I’m standing at the door of the plane getting ready…just waiting to jump. And it’s equally exciting and frightening at the same time. One of those friends said to me the other day, “God called you to go skydiving. Nashville is just the airplane…in leaving Appleton you weren’t jumping, just getting in the plane. You still have yet to jump out. Just remember that.” I won’t lie…that scares me!

But, when I remember that it’s God saying “How far will you go?” I remember that complete surrender is His call. And that means fear and hesitation too. I don’t know what that looks like in my life in the months ahead, but I’m going to try to be excited to find out :)

You can check out the rest of the original post here. What’s been the biggest risk in your life recently?

Comment Throwback Sundays

Hello. My Name is Peter.

I was reading the story of Peter walking on water the other day and something new struck me. Here is Peter, almost challenging Christ as he says “If it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said “come” and Peter obeyed. It was windy, it was unknown (he’d never walked on water before), yet he got out of the boat…he moved in faith.

But only minutes later, Peter let fear take control and lost focus. In a panic because he’s now sinking, he calls out and Jesus reaches out his hand to catch up.

That…Peter giving in to fear…reminds me of myself. It reminds me of what life’s journey is about…the journey. Right now I feel like Peter. I’ve taken a leap of faith and climbed out of the boat. But, I know that there will be times of fear ahead as I venture into the unknown. I will daily have to make a choice not to give in to that fear.

Moving on faith isn’t a one time act…it’s a process…a journey. It is one that for me will define this next season of life. But there’s comfort in the fact that when I give in to fear and begin to sink, I can always look to Christ who will pick me up. There’s comfort knowing He’ll never let me drown.

The greatest part of the story is the very last line: “They climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. Then those in the boat began to worship Him saying ‘truly you are the Son of God.’” God knows there are going to be times when we give in and fear puts us in a panic, makes us want to run, etc. And it is in those times when we rely on Him to pull us through that He is glorified. When our situation looks impossible and we make it through, that is a powerful demonstration of who God is and what He is capable of. I love that God redeems our fear for that purpose…to show His goodness, power, & mercy.

Do you ever feel like Peter?

1 Comment Deep Thinking, Just Life

Freaking Out and Fighting Doubt

For those of you who think I’m “strong” “inspiring” “courageous” or any other adjectives I’ve heard in the last three months, thank you, truly, but I’m going to burst your bubble…I’m not! I believe in being transparent and authentic…even if that means sharing the less inspiring, uglier sides of life.

I have been freaking out the last couple of days. Doubt, thoughts of giving up, asking myself what I’m thinking, all of it.

I’ve been waiting for the freak out to come since I made the decision to get out the boat. I think part of me, though, was secretly hoping & thinking maybe it wouldn’t come since it hadn’t yet. But, it did this week…big time.

It’s now Friday afternoon and I’m starting to calm down. God has proven once again that He is good, that He loves us, and that He has a plan. He has reminded me in big & small ways over the last couple of days that He’s got this.

But, it’s one thing to know all of that. Believing it with your whole heart & living like you do is a different story. Fear threatens to defeat us every day. So, more than likely I will get up tomorrow and be staring doubt in the face again, ready for another wrestling match. All I know is I’m glad I don’t have fight on my own because I’d lose every time.

Is doubt an unwelcome presence in your life? What do you do when it tries to creep in?

2 Comments Just Life