It was mid-October and we had been gifted a beautiful fall afternoon. In celebration of my son’s birthday we loaded up the car and made our way to an amusement park. I had decided that when it came to riding the roller coasters I would observe from the safety of the sideline.
We arrived to find that we had chosen to visit the park on one of the busiest days of the year. This meant that the wait for most rides would be about an hour long. If I were to stand on the sidelines, I would miss the fun we could have together while waiting in line. I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to face my fear of roller coasters.
We finally made it through our first line. The rest of the group got on the ride before my husband and I, so we were able to stand back and watch the excitement. Then came our turn. My children anxiously waited and watched on the other side of the ride, wondering how I would do. I walked over to a row of seats and sat in one of the middle chairs. Down clanged the shoulder attachment that secures you into the seat. The ride began…
When Did I Stop Enjoying Roller Coasters?
It was June 1990 when a fear I’d never known entered my heart. The second I saw my newborn daughter I became overwhelmed with the weight of responsibility I held in my arms. The safety and protection of my baby became my first priority and was what directed most of what I did. The moment that fear entered my heart, my normally carefree, adventure loving, people loving-self went somewhere to hide. Who I had become and who I used to be could not coexist. I believed that I was the one who could control our little world.
God began to show me that a life lived and motivated by fear was not what He wanted for me and He continues to do that work in my heart, opening my eyes to how He wants me to live as I am in the Word and choosing to replace my fear with His promises.
The Roller Coaster Ride – Continued
…I tried to remain calm as we began the first climb. Slowly. The anticipation grew. I found I was able to mentally control my anxiety by focusing on the truth that those who had designed the ride designed it to be enjoyed with safety. We reached the top of the hill and I shut my eyes. The train was thrown into a sudden and rapid descent, the gush of wind pushed my head against the seat. I mentally let go and allowed the ride take over. Right. Left. Up. Down. Upside down. Fears gone, I was free to enjoy the intoxicating, invigorating. suspenseful, experience called a roller coaster ride!
5 Verses to Pray If You Find You Have Become a Fearful Mom
God wants us to know His Word so that we can replace the whispers that come from the enemy with life-giving words of truth. He has given us reminders throughout the Bible that tell us not to fear. They begin in the first book of the bible and weave a thread of reminders all the way through to the very last book. When we choose to turn from fear to trust, we are declaring that we will refuse to give in to fear. We are turning towards God in faith and trust and turning our back on fear and hopelessness that the enemy wants us to focus on so that we will be paralyzed, unable to move forward.
The following are just a few of the “fear not,” verses found in the Bible. When you read them and then turn them into a prayer, you are fighting your battle with the very weapon that is sharper than any two edged sword “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
1. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Father, I am afraid today. Thank You for being with me and for being my God. I ask for Your strength and Your help today. Please uphold me with Your righteous right hand. I need You.
2. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
Father, I am fearful today about ________. I choose to look to You and seek You for comfort. Help me to put my trust in You. Please deliver me from all my fears.
3. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Father, You have commanded that I not be fearful or dismayed and that You are with me wherever I go. Help me to be strong and courageous. Help me to not be afraid but to take You at Your word and remember that You are with me.
4. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).
Father, help me to not be anxious and afraid about the future, but to trust You with the day I have been given and to walk in obedience in the moments that I have right now.
5. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Father, You are my light and my salvation. You are the stronghold of my life. You are GOD. Because of those realities I have no need to be afraid. Thank You!
We are in a life long battle of choosing to put our trust in God and choosing to not be afraid. When we make that choice we will be like the Psalmist: “…let all that take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11).
