Beating Fear: Water Park Edition
The fear was real.
The night before a planned water park trip with friends, the panic mounted. I felt sick to my stomach. My heart was racing, and my head was pounding. The panic was quickly overtaking me.
I didn’t want to go.
We had planned the day for weeks. A day off work meant the four of us friends could enjoy the day away, while having fun and relaxing at the same time. Though my anxiety was very real, I didn’t want to let them down.
You may be wondering why it's such a big deal. As a young child, I witnessed a precious child drown. Since that tragic summer day, I have always felt extremely heightened around water, even small backyard pools. It doesn’t take much water or much time for something tragic to happen. Though time has passed, and much healing has occurred, I still can’t shake the way I feel or what I experience around water.
The next morning, I showed up to meet my friends and we made our way to the water park. We spent hours carrying floats to the top of fun slides. We laughed and we screamed.
There were moments throughout the day in which I had to refocus my thoughts. Reframe my thoughts to the positive. Reminding myself that I was safe and there were lifeguards stationed appropriately.
With the help of my friends, I was able to have fun. To enjoy the moment, allowing myself to be present. I couldn’t have done it alone, and they knew it. They knew I would need their support and encouragement.
That’s true for all of us at some point or another. There will come a day or time in which you will have to overcome a fear. I’ve been reminded that we cannot do life on our own. Life is hard and we’ve all been through tough seasons. I believe God brings people into our lives who will walk with us through the healing. Providing love, support, and encouragement to us as we make the choice to persevere.
Perseverance develops our faith. That day at the water park my faith was tested. The enemy wanted to steal my joy so bad and remind me of what happened that summer day over twenty years ago. But I chose to dig down inside and cling to the strength only God could provide.
I ended up having a lot of fun.
We can do hard things. Is there something you need courage to tackle today? Trust that God can and will give you the strength to persevere if you ask Him. I may not want to hang out at a water park every day, but I feel like I accomplished something big with the help of God and my friends.
I can’t share this blog without a PSA on water safety. It’s way too near and dear to my heart not to. Learn how to swim. Teach your kiddos how to swim. You don’t have to be Olympic swimmer material but know the basics. Find lessons nearby. If you’re boating or rafting, wear a life jacket. Be responsible and don’t swim alone.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, there are over 4,500 unintentional drowning deaths each year in the US. Drowning is fast and silent, happening in as little as 20-60 seconds. Don’t assume someone else is watching your kiddo! The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of death for kids ages 1-4; no other cause of death kills more toddlers and young children.
It’s very real friends. Be alert and stay water safe!
James 1:2-8, The Message
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
