Years ago as I was driving over a major bridge, I had a full blown panic attack. It had started days before as I was driving on some winding highways, but that day it escalated into a full panic attack while I was alone and going down the other side of the bridge. It has taken me a long time to go back to driving on major highways and even now, if I’m not sure where I’m going, I carefully plan the route, or simply don’t go. Yes, it’s that bad. I’m especially afraid of tackling the I-95S. Over the years, I’ve grown ok with a small piece of the I-95N.
Until recently. I was asked to do something that I thought would benefit my daughter. So, with trepidation, I looked up the possible routes. There were three ways I could go. Ok. I pep talked myself. Two of them were already out of the question for other reasons, so I was already limited to one. Not terrible, as I could drive familiar territory for part of the way. My daughter was with me, so I wasn’t alone. But I was nervous. My palms were sweaty – I don’t typically have sweaty palms. But this was something I had committed to, so we were going.
I drove all the way to my destination, following the directions of my GPS, and realized that while I still had some nervousness, the highways weren’t as wide as I remembered, but I also had the company of my daughter. On the way back, she fell asleep within ten minutes of an hour and half journey, so I turned up my gospel station a little louder, said another prayer, and kept going. Again, while the highways were wide, they weren’t as wide as my mind had made me remember them. I managed to do the drive, one mile at a time.
What is your perceived fear? One of mine has been driving on the I-95S for many years. I read somewhere that said FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. The Bible also tells us in 2 Timothy 7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
What would you like to accomplish but you have allowed fear to stop you in your tracks? Pray with me for a spirit of boldness and courage to go after your goals.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your spirit of courage. Help us not to be limited by what we are afraid of, but to pursue our dreams boldly with your help and your guidance.