I am WILDLY afraid of heights.
"Get me down off the second-to-top rung of this ladder STAT" -type scared of heights.
So when I ponder the things that cause me the most fear and anxiety, that's definitely near the top of my list.
My husband and I took a day trip to Seattle in August of 2017 and naturally felt compelled to participate in touristy things. Thus, we ventured to the Space Needle and waited in line to go to the top.
If you know anything about the Space Needle's construction, (or skyscrapers in general), you probably know that it was built to be able to sway slightly with the wind for stability. (I don't understand the physics of this, but I trust that the architects who do, know what they're doing).
You may also conjecture, then, that as we made the painfully slow climb to the top in a swaying elevator, I clung to my husband for dear life, unable to look out the window to the sights below us. When we reached the top, I oh-so-gingerly stepped out and clung to the innermost walls of its summit so as not to plunge to my death. Eventually, reason took over, and surmising that stepping out onto the observation deck would not be my downfall, I did so with great trepidation. I knew it was perhaps the opportunity of a lifetime.
As current events rage around us, panic and fear have been at the forefront of many of our minds.
Will we have enough supplies to last?
What will happen to my job?
Will we stay healthy?
How will we pay our bills?
Imagine you're walking on a verrrrry high tightrope. (I watched The Greatest Showman the other night, which may or may not have been partially responsible for this metaphor.) You're not walking it alone, though. The Lord is ahead of you, facing in your direction, with your hands clasped in his so that he can guide you to safety. Any glance downward can cost you your balance; it's best not to look to the right or left for the same reason. Therefore, you must keep your eyes on the Lord, walking the rope one step at a time to ensure safe travel to the other side.
This is the reality of our existence. It's easy to let fear overrun our thoughts during such an uncertain time as this. We take our eyes off of our God, focusing on the difficulties around us, and we begin to lose footing.
That distraction to the right of us, which is financial worry? Fixating on it will cause us to wobble.
The uncertain diagnosis to the left of us - sure to cause panic.
The noise of worldly evils below us will most certainly lead to distraction.
When we fix our eyes, though, on the Lord, guiding us with gentleness and patience toward the finish line, our breath slows, our hearts cease to race, and we walk with steadier steps.
We know that we aren't in it alone, and we don't have to be in control. We only have to place our trust in the one who is. Your trust in him will help lead you to the other side.
Fix your eyes on the Lord - on your prayer life, on his word, on his promises, and on his faithfulness. Refuse to look in any other direction but his.
He knows the way, and he will not let you fall.
