A few weeks ago, my daughter was unable to sleep. She kept coming in my room repeatedly concerned about the possibility of a snake swallowing her whole while she slept. We talked about her fear and the unlikely possibility of a snake that large getting into her room at night. And then I reminded her that when we are afraid we only have to pray that God will take our fears away and trust that He will take care of us.
The following morning as we drove to school she told me that she wasn’t afraid anymore because she knew that God would protect her. It was a gut-wrenching moment for me as I had laid awake for hours the night before harboring my own fears. How often do I give my kids advice that I don’t follow myself? If only I could have faith like a child and just believe that once I have turned something over to the Lord that I no longer need to lay awake worrying about the snakes in my own life.
Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of reading the book, Into the Deep, by Lauren Gaskill. Lauren addresses the pain, suffering, frustrations that we all face in life and shows us how we can dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. She says early in her book, “There was a time in my life when I let my struggles define me, but I’m not going back there—to the darkness, to the night, to the overwhelming pit of despair. And neither are you. Because we have been called into the light—into a life of courageous faith.”
As I have studied chapter by chapter of her book, I have been both encouraged and challenged to dive deeper into my faith, and to remind my children how to let their faith have power over their fears. She reminds the reader that a fearless faith is not a fairy tale, and it is obtainable if we only put our trust in God. So often, I let my fears and insecurities get the best of me, and I allow them power over parts of my life that they should have never been allowed to reach—all because I don’t put my trust in the ONLY one who can calm all my fears.
It’s not enough to have faith, we have to be able to live out that faith daily. We have to be able to look at every situation that we face with a trust in Him and a belief that that faith will move the mountains in our lives. When we surrender to His will and to his guidance, those mountains in our life, don’t seem so hard to face.
“In the good times and the bad times, I’ve learned that trusting God and surrendering my all to Him is the best way to live, because it takes the burden off my shoulders.”- Lauren Gaskill, Into the Deep
I encourage everyone to grab a copy of this book. Read it alone, study it with a friend, message me if you want to chat about the wisdom in it’s pages! And if this is a book you think would challenge you and encourage you in your faith, leave a comment below! I have a copy I will be giving away to a reader who comments before Friday, November 9th!
Boy, I needed this reminder today, Tricia! I’m walking through some gut-wrenchingly painful trials right now (on top of the other trials I was already experiencing) and while I see God moving mountains and showing up in powerful ways, I still find myself falling into a pit of fear. I’m feeling so afraid and vulnerable that I’ll get hurt again, that I struggle to surrender this burden completely. Your words remind me of the chair analogy…you can have belief that the chair will hold you, but faith is belief in action. You have to sit on the chair and trust it will hold you!
Oh Emily- I am praying for you and rooting for you! I find myself heading into the deep dark pit of fear all too often, but I am thankful for a God who helps bring me back out! Praying that you are able to surrender all those burdens and that God holds you through it all!
During these last ten years I have found it uniquely interesting the way our child like faith guides us. When I was faced with gut wrenching news just over ten years ago I recall a brief moment of fear & than just calm. I only waivered when I had to give my kids kisses goodbye not knowing if I would ever see them again.
But that was a fear that subsided as the affirmation that it would be ok continued to consume me. What would be ok? Death? Being paralyzed? Loosing all my previous memories, or abilities, to love on my family? As I sat in the tiny rectangle office I looked into the ominous faces staring back and saw the news would not be optimal.
I tell you this not for sympathy but rather perspective. One would think the paralyzing words from that day would have been frightening. Now sitting here, 10yrs 5mos 18 days later, I can confirm it was NOT a frightening event. In reality there was a peace in that time confirming it was going to be ok.
How did I know? I just did! It was my core faith in God that could not be shaken. I trusted His plan, His vision, His omnipotence to reign all powerful.
Sadly there was a darkness that entered my life without my knowledge nor approval. It still sits heavily with me to this day. Even as I am unable to shake the darkness I crave & cling tightly to every bit of light that peeks through.
Last night a FB friend replied “courage, once learned is the gift earned” to a post about my daughter. Those are very powerful words & equally helpful were the other articles I found when I went searching for an author.
I discovered two more resources. The first is a book called “The Gift of Courage” and the second is a movie called “The Ultimate Gift”.
Do I feel foolish or selfish to say I live w/ a darkness? Of course, How could I possibly after the positive results I told above? It’s true that darkness can seek out any of us. I don’t worry over death. I worry about not having given my children enough love, life lessons or memories together before I die. I worry that the mistakes of my past will haunt my future. And I worry that I’m wasting today while I allow fear of rejection to define my life.
It’s incredible how we feel so naked in front of God. We intentionally rip away all the bandages & bindings. Yet when He gives His holy grace FEAR is still holding us hostage.
Sonia- Thank you so much for sharing! You have been such an encouragement to me and I am so thankful that our paths crossed! I think we would all be lying if we said we didn’t allow darkness to cloud our paths every now and then. I dont think anyone can go through all that you have been through and not allow fear to cloud their way every now and then. I think the fact that you acknowledge that and are seeking and clinging to the light shows how lucky your children are to have you 🙂 I’m praying that you are able to let go of all that fear and move forward in the light. I am so thankful for your encouragement the last few years.
Sonia- You won our book giveaway! I will message you about getting it to you!
What a brautiful expression of childlike trust and faith. Something for us all to learn….praying and thinking about y’all and taking to heart that courage. And praying that God would grow in me the trust and faith of your girl… 🙂
Thanks for always sharing so many things I take to heart and learn that I truely need to hear too.
Thank you Tiffiny! I pray daily that I can have the faith and trust of that girl too!!