My son has a pretty healthy fear of heights. Recently, he tackled this fear on a two-story climbing adventure at a children’s museum. Even with the safety net all around him, he was cautious as he climbed.
Remember Joshua 1:9, I tell him, as he tries to decide whether to climb all the way to the top or not. God commands us to be strong and courageous.
“What happens if I fall, Mom?”
“What happens if you don’t? The view from the top is pretty incredible.”
God does not want us to live in fear. He desires for us to live in freedom. But it’s more than His desire for our greater good. God commands us to live with courage. Its not advice or an ask or a pretty please, will you be strong? It’s a command.
If we want to serve God, we’ll have to face our fears.
But here’s the good news: once we step into courageous living with Him, the view IS pretty incredible. And what seemed scary before becomes insignificant to the adventure that awaits us. That fearful thing you conquered yesterday is the easy thing you’ll step over today. And tomorrow? Only God knows, but you can trust Him that it will be amazing.
“Mom!!!! You can see for miles up there! See you later! I’m climbing to the top again!”
And again. And again. Be strong. Be courageous. God is with you.