I grew up in a town with an amusement park, which was pretty cool most of the time! My Dad was a police officer, so he often worked security at the park in the summers which meant we got to go for free a lot of the time. During those outings, Dad was always up for riding just about any ride with us– he’s basically just a giant kid himself. I was raised going on every single ride in the park. I wasn’t generally a daredevil, but I loved the adrenaline of roller coasters & sudden drops!
When I was about 8 years old, they put in a new ride at the park called The Den of Lost Thieves. On this ride you would sit in a car & ride slowly through dark tunnels. As you approached clearings in the tunnels, sets would illuminate & you would have to shoot the figures with a gun that was attached to your car. The guns were electronic & kept score of which person was a better shot. Things popped out at you, there were sound effects, the works. This is the first time I recall actually being afraid to ride something. Dad tried to take me on it, but I was too scared. I mean, I was only 8! But my little sister Anna hopped right in the car & was ready to go. She said: “Well I’m going! I’ll be with Dad– he won’t let anything get me.”
Sometimes I really wish I had that kind of child-like faith as an adult. How much easier would life be if I would just strap on my Big Girl Pants & remind myself that I can do things in the face of fear because God will be in control? Many of the things that cause me fear in my life are things that are out of control anyway– my actions won’t affect the outcome. So being brave & strong walking alongside the Lord is the best option. Deuteronomy 31:7-8 promises us:
“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Just like my sister climbing into the car on Den of Lost Thieves, I should have faith that He already knows what fear lurks around the corner. That fact alone should bring us all comfort & strength. We can all enter that dark tunnel with no knowledge of what waits around the corner because He will never leave us or forsake us. So put on your Big Girl Pants & hop in the car.
This entry in my Bible was a response to the first session of the Brave & Strong online workshop. This class can be purchased here for an early bird discount until it goes full price on the 11th! You won’t want to miss this faithful & empowering study alongside the Illustrated Faith community!
<3 Elaine
Illustrated Faith Brave & Strong online workshop elements by Elaine Davis | Illustrated Faith Oh How He Loves Us devotional kit stamps by Stephanie Buice | Illustrated Faith Ampersands are my Favorite stamp set by Shanna Noel | Illustrated Faith moss green ink pad from Yes & Amen devotional kit | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd tape runner | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Date it Stamp | American Crafts Remarks white tile alphas in Hannah & Henry | Simple Stories Sn@p alpha stickers | Paper Studio teal washi tape | Heidi Swapp Color Shine mist in Mustard
Love!!!!
I love how you put this! I’ve been told that my faith is child-like because I give everything (even little everyday things) over to God and have complete faith in Him with it all.
I used to think that’s what all Christians did, but apparently I was wrong. It was actually Christian friends that made the comments.
It’s all good though…..I think a few of them are doing the same thing now ?