Grab the Rope and Swing!

Our girls love playing outside, and God has blessed us with a big back yard that accommodates much play. Out back, we have two swings tied a large pecan tree: a one-rope swing and a two-rope swing. Both have plastic seats, but I was noticing that the single-rope swing doesn't get as much use by the girls. It has less to hold onto, but swings higher.

My oldest, daughter, really struggles with fear. She has an amazing imagination, but that imagination causes her trouble sometimes, like being afraid of the dark, and it also prevents her from doing some fun stuff... like swinging on the one-rope swing.

I too have been struggling with fear: fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of rejection. However, God has been teaching me lately that the child of God does not need to be afraid. Apparently this is a very common problem we all have and the Bible deals directly with this. The New American Standard version of the Bible mentions the words "fear" and "afraid" over 500 times, and many of those references include commands to individuals and groups to not be afraid. Why is that? Well, I believe that our fear comes from a lack of trusting God to the point of not obeying Him. In my reading through the Apostle John's letters, I read one verse that really speaks to this issue in my life. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18) Later, John describes this love that expresses itself in obedience to what God tells us to do. (cf. John 14,15; 1 John).

What God is showing me right now is that to grow in this area I must face my fears-- head on. When I do, it's amazing God takes care of the fear. He literally casts it out! Does that mean that nothing bad happens? No, but it helps us to stretch out a little bit more next time we are faced with fear, because God has shown us His faithfulness. It is not a fear issue, as much as it is a love issue. Do I love God more than I fear my circumstances?

Back to our swing story. Knowing the fun she was missing, I recently came along side Melody, and began encouraging her (aka forcing her :-D) to get on the single rope swing. She was afraid at first, even to the point of tears, but after a few times, she learned that her daddy loves her and was there with her. She is beginning to enjoy the new heights to which she can go. She is still hesitant, but her fear is being cast out by the result of her obedience. There is always a possibility she might fall, but she is learning that her daddy is near to pick her up when she does fall.

Sometimes facing our fears takes a little nudge from our Heavenly Daddy, but when we fall, it gives great peace knowing that our Father is there to pick us up when we do fall. Let's take a step, grab the rope put our heads back and swing!