Being Fearless

[Rachel20]

I went rappelling recently.

For those of you who don't know -

1. Abseiling (/ˈæbseɪl/ or /ˈɑːpzaɪl/; from German abseilen, meaning "to rope down"), also called rappelling, is the controlled descent of a vertical drop, such as a rock face, using a rope. Climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.
   
   [courtesy of wikipedia]
   
   
   

I am not a climber but a couple of friends and colleagues decided to do such an exercise. The initial part which requires one to go down backwards from the cliff has to be seriously scary.

It requires some amount of courage.

What I did not truly understand was that I had a deep seated fear of falling. Not heights per se, but the sensation of falling. I was paralyzed and I could not allow myself to let go and lean backwards.

Yes there is a harness and there is a rope, but every time I increased my angle of inclination and the rope was released my first reflex was to climb back up the cliff.

I was gripping the hand of the instructor very hard and I refused to let go, even though I had seen many people do the same act before me and even though it was demonstrated as safe.


What was perhaps a small amount of effort for someone else was a gargantuan one for me. It took me a while however I decided then and there that I would face this fear and overcome it.

Did I?

Yes (and even cried a bit), but I did it!!

When I reached down, I realized it was not even that big of a deal that I thought it was! I could very well do this again and do it easily.


I realized in life too sometimes we are paralyzed by fears - whether it is real or imagined even though we have a harness that keeps us - [God]

No matter what happens and no matter what we lose, God is still going to be there.

Just wanted to share this and hope that it encourages someone. If you wish to share something which you overcome, it would be really nice if you could do so too.

Anyway God bless and have a nice day/evening wherever you are!







Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.


2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control


1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love


Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.




**************

Article :-
Every Moment is Beautiful..
https://thebiblefromtheheart.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/every-moment-is-beautiful/

 

[Rachel20]

I remembered one more thing.

Driving.

I used to drive when I was younger and did so until 2 and a half years ago.

I had a minor traffic accident while driving home from a library and the incident really shook me up.
While it was not that big of a deal (again! Nothing really happened) I lost my confidence in driving and I just could not bring myself to get back behind the steering wheel.


Well. Recently necessity, requirements and sheer determination has made me get back to it.

I didn't plunge right into it because of requests from family - I went back to driving school for a few classes ( as lame as that is) to practice.

It's so important to bring these things before God and ask Him to give the strength and courage to overcome whatever we go through.

So yes, I overcame that too!

I am driving again.

I look forward to getting over whatever new fear that grips me next!

 

[psalm6819]

I am truly learning that the recognition of God's love enables me to trust Him and fear has no place in my life.


His perfect love casts it out. Bless the Lord, o my soul... I better not get started.....praisng Him for eternity will be joy

 

[psychomom]

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thingI do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:7-14)


i don't know why, but these verses seemed applicable.

kudos to you, Rachel. the first pic you posted was enough to send me into vertigo.
i, too, have a fear of falling. at my age, it's not likely to be tested anytime soon, either.

my biggest fears have always involved loved ones... i pray for my children and snatch them right back out of God's hands 5 minutes later. siiigh...
it's the sin of unbelief and i am guilty.

maybe that's why i'm grateful for the above verses?
the Righteousness of Christ is mine and i am so far beyond thankful i have no words.

thanks for the encouragement to remember God is with us and for us.
and seriously.... my hat's off to you for being so brave in Jesus.

love, love, love,
ellie

 

[Angela53510]

Rachel, I hate height more than anything. Even a picture or a shot on a TV show can give me the shivers.

So kudos to you!

For me, facing the increasing disability of my RA is my greatest fear right now. I went out for a short bike ride, discovered that my elbows lack of range of motion was painful and limiting and my knees are now singing the blues! I used to ride 35 km in 2 hours. This med failure is killing me.

 

[Rachel20]

I am so blessed that all the wonderful women of CC have posted on my thread ...


It also made me think about how we all have different levels of faith and even fear. What is easy for some people can be difficult for others and vice versa.

But apparently we all share the same fears (so we all must be really cool)!



@psalm8819 - You are right! Oh just love hearing people praise God!


@Ellie, thank you so much for posting those verses. I do think they are very applicable - we are to focus on Christ and the race ahead. Not get distracted by anything else including fears.

Like what might be a fear of embarrassment to talk to someone if overcome could actually end up being a testimony of God's glory ...

I understand a mother's fear for her children and you know I love, love, love, love , love you!! God is in control of everything even our families and relationships!
Thank you for being a prayerful mom.

You are one of the sweetest posters here who I will always love, love, love, love, love!


@ Angela.
You are so brave and strong! I am sorry to hear about the struggles with RA

You are such an inspiration that despite everything, your faith in God is just amazing.

You are in my prayers and I just trust that God is our amazing Healer and He can do anything.

Thank you so much for everything - for so many things ! God bless you abundantly and heal that pain.

 

[C_Cazy]

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your inspirational story amazing how through even the smallest details in our lives, God is there. Through the tiniest challenges you were able to see the bigger picture and that he was there for you; I definitely like the harness analogy and made me think about my life. Keep on being strong in your faith and inspiring others.

God Bless YBIC