I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
The summer of 1980, Fish might have been a more appropriate name for me than Shannon. In fact, my family of origin calls my Shanny, which happens to be a type of fish so perhaps I was destined for the water.
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| Me at 10 - Please take note of my super foxy Dr. Seuss suit! |
One ordinary afternoon as I plunged to the bottom of the pool, my jaw locked in the mouth open position. A tsunami of terror flooded my water logged heart. Putting my face in the water lost much of its allure that day.
Fish became a Fraidy Cat.
A year in high school of the oh-so-attractive head gear corrected my jaw alignment. I still didn't put my face in the water.
In college, I was placed in the lowest swimming group. I still didn't put my face in the water.
Just last Sunday I swam laps for an hour in our community pool. I used the back stroke and side stroke exclusively so I didn't have to put my face in the water.
No fear remains in my heart but I have allowed fear's fingers to shape my behavior.
Does fear have a finger on you?
It's possible to overcome a fear of commitment and yet remain non-committal.
It's feasible to conquer a fear of abandonment and still tend toward isolation.
It's likely to beat a fear of the unknown and continue to avoid new places and people.
Fear can finger us long after we think we've grown beyond its' reach. Next Sunday I'll return to our community pool for another hour's swim. I've already decided to live beyond fear's reach. I will rely on Him as I swim. In His strength I will swim with my face in the water. I will swim because as I pass through the water, He will be with me. (Isaiah 43:2)
Does fear have a finger on you? How could His hand free you from fear's finger?
Sometimes it's more like a whole hand, and not just a finger! Thanks for the illustration to remind me of how fear can take over and steal your joy!
ReplyDeleteHope that you are doing well. We must talk soon!
Fear is definitely a joy thief.
DeleteWe definitely need to connect. Right now I have Georgia on my mind (translation - thinking of and praying for you!)
Fears have always played a major role in my life -- from a parent I feared, to certain animals (induced by my parent's fear of them), fear of failing, fear of not measuring up -- I could go on, but you get the picture. Just yesterday I read a post which has caused me to look at those fears as my past and not my future (Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind) because I know He has plans for me and they will definitely be better than the past. Thanks for your sensitive and sharing post today.
ReplyDeleteFaith conquers fear every time! :)
DeleteWow, Shannon! I struggle with fear so much! My biggest fear is "what if I give it my all and fail?". I actually wrote about that one for Encouragement Cafe next week. But I also have social fears and insecurities that just seem to paralyze me. Thanks so much for sharing your heart. I can't WAIT to hear how your swim goes!!!
ReplyDeleteOh girl, I'm going to have to watch for that one for sure. I'm a guest at Encouragement Cafe tomorrow on autism. :) And I'll definitely keep you posted on the swim.
DeleteShannon,
ReplyDeleteOne more thing we have in common... make that two: locked jaws (so thankful mine never locked in the pool) and lovely headgear! :) What an excellent story to illustrate how fear shapes us. I am thankful that God is greater than the greatest fear! Praying now for those who are held captive by their fears.
Love ya!
Mercifully I have no head gear pictures or I might share them in a moment of weakness!
DeleteShannon, what a perfect illustration of what fear can do to us! I have never thought about it like that before. There have been times when I thought I had overcome a fear, just to have it come charging back, unexpectedly. Keep us posted on how your swim goes next week! God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
Erin, that is one of my very favorite scriptures! Thanks for bringing it to my mind. Perfect!
DeleteI have always hated putting my face in the water and always been a fraidy cat. I now consciously choose to not fear on a daily basis. I try to remember this quote from Georgia O'Keefe, "I have been terrified every day of my life, but that has never stopped me from doing everything I wanted to do." Thank you for the post!!
ReplyDeleteTeressa, these are great thoughts. I just got off a conference call where the leader reminded us that we all fear but those who live victoriously step out in spite of their fears. I want to be a victor don't you? :)
DeleteUgh - fear of failure! I still replay failures in my mind from years and years ago trying to find what I could have done differently. I thought I was "on the mend" until just today. I called to have my oldest (3 1/2) evaluated for speech. All of a sudden, it felt like I had failed again. I couldn't even teach my little boy how to speak properly. Oh, the lies Satan puts in our hearts!
ReplyDeleteAudra, fear of failure has been a big one for me two. Of course this whole speaking and writing thing is pretty much beating it out of me... :)
DeleteI know fear has gripped me at different times in my life. I have often found with God that He is a complete gentleman, he will deal with things in our lives like fear by pulling back a layer and laying it bare, we work on it. Time goes by and then He gently says, 'It is time to go deeper,' and He pulls back another layer so the healing can go deeper. I am praying for His peace to surround you as you go deeper together!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, this is a great perspective. Our fears can run so deep and often need to be dealt with layer by layer. I like that!
DeleteShannon this came right on time, there is something about that ugly word FEAR, it comes to steal your joy I tell you. I always pray for the love and peace of God whenever I feel the spirit of fear come over me, thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletePamela, love and peace are definitely antidotes for fear. You are right on, sistah! :)
DeleteFEAR...False Evidence Appearing Real. I had so many fears my whole life but since giving my heart to Jesus He has been working on it with me, gently...like Cheryl commented. This is a great post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Shannon...Chelle
Isn't His gentle touch so amazing? He changes us even when we don't realize it.
DeleteFear is very real in our lives because Satan constantly uses it to bombard us and pull us away from our Savior. I find too often when I think i have over come a fear, remnants constantly remain. But like you said the only way to remove that fear is to rely more solidly on our Heavenly Father and our faith in him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story with fear, Amber. Praying with you for God's victory in our lives!
DeleteI have a fear of water (deep water). One summer when I was 8 or 9, a close friend drowned in a pond & she knew how to swim. I was taking swimming lessons that same summer & in my young mind, I thought, "if I learn how to swim, I'll drown", so I remained in the shallow end the rest of the summer. I am now 40-ish & I still have that fear & will not go near deep water. Luckily, I was able to keep my fear under control long enough for both of my girls to learn to swim.
ReplyDeleteI've had this fear for so long, I don't think I will ever overcome it.
Stopping by from VoiceBoks!
http://ziggysblogs.blogspot.com
Perhaps we should go for a swim together? :)
DeleteI was a little fish growing up...competed on swim team, and practically lived in the water. My hair was green, always had swimmer's ear, etc., so the water is really comfortable for me. I do fear the ocean though. Even as an accomplished swimmer, you are no match for it. I will never go on a Cruise.
ReplyDeleteHey, congrats on your fitness accomplishments!!
I have never been on a cruise either but it's not for fear of the water it's because they don't make econo cabins for a family of six. I am so painfully cheap...
DeleteAh, yes...fear. I wrote a guest post on this subject for SharonTogether's website a while back.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter used to have such a fear of the swimming pool. She wouldn't put her head under water, wouldn't jump...nothing. Even after going through several sessions of swim lessons. Then finally one day, her swim teacher wrapped his arms around her while standing on the side of the pool and playfully jumped in with her in his arms the entire time. She realized how exhilarating it was and hasn't been afraid of the water since. In fact, she's been in advanced swim lessons in recent weeks and I'm in awe at how skilled she is as a swimmer. I'm certain she'd kick my butt in a swim race from one side of the pool to the other...even with my running endurance backing me up.
What's fascinating to me is how much her experience simulates so many other spiritual battles...aka fears...we face in life. God eventually wraps His arms around us forcing us to push beyond our fear and grow. And isn't it exhilarating on the other side? :)
Hope you're having a fantastic week, sweet friend!
~Rosann
Wow I loved this, Rosann - "God eventually wraps his arms around us forcing us to push beyond our fear and grow." That is a beautiful perspective!
DeleteOh' I loved that scripture you used to end that Shannon! And His perfect love casts out all fear! Woohoo! Preach it sister! :) Blessings, Amy
ReplyDeleteIt sure does. So thankful we have Him to rely on in every area of our lives!
DeleteLove this, Shannon! It's definitely made me think about some things. As I was reading, I could see places where I've been delivered from fear but have continued to allow it to shape my behavior and actions. Thank you, friend. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo thankful, Shelly. Don't you just love it when God meets us right where we are and helps us see something new He wants to work on in us? He's so gentle and loving as He nurtures our hearts to become more like His.
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