Reach Up In Trust

Psalm 34:4,7 – I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (NKJV)

Some children are fearless when it comes to trying new challenges. They have the attitude, "I can do it!" We learn fear as we grow and realize that some things are more difficult than others, and we come to understand that failure is not pleasant.

The outdoor skating rink in the centre of town is one place where people of all abilities and ages congregate for some outdoor fun. Some glide gracefully across the glassy surface of the ice, while others are slowly striding around. The wee ones, buffered by their parents or family, fearlessly try to walk across the surface without falling down. But when they do fall, they readily reach up a hand for someone to help them to their feet so that they can try again. The smiles and laughter echoing from everyone there reveal how much they are just enjoying an afternoon of pure fun — no fear and no pressure. I purposely drive that way just to see this wonderful winter scene!

Our journey of faith should be a reflection of such pure fun, without the pressure. We are fearless and so confident when we start out; we, too, have the attitude, "I can do it!" Then, we may become like Peter: "But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matthew 14:30 NKJV) Like Peter, we take our eyes off Jesus and allow fear to consume us, and we fall! It is then that we should remember the wee skaters who reached up a hand for someone to help them get up and try again. We should remember Peter who called out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" We may stumble, and we may indeed fall, and, yes, we may fail — our family, our friends, ourselves, and our Lord. We may even feel that we will never get it right, so we may as well just give up. But it is at that moment when we also need to remember that when Peter called out in fear for the Lord to save him, "immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him." (Matthew 14:31a NKJV)

Our God is never any further away from us than a sigh, a tear, or a breath. Trusting, we just need to allow Him to quell our fears and pick us up to try again. Life is a journey of faith, and as we learned to fear, we can also learn to trust that God is right there with us in all our circumstances. He never leaves us on our own, and He gives us the strength we need day by day. Let's give the pressures to Him to handle, and we will experience the real joy of our walk of faith!

John 15:9,11 – As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that we falter and sometimes slip, but we ask that this day You will help us up, set us on Your path of love and grace, and give us the strength to realize that in You, "We can do it!" Cover our hearts and minds and remove all fear. Thank You for being who You are and making us what You know we can be! In and through the name of Jesus, we ask and believe. Amen.

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