Take courage and don't fear!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Climbing mountain peaks isn't always a walk in the park.

Of course, most of the time, we choose to do it either because we love hiking, enjoy challenges, or want to take in the breathtaking views. However, this doesn't take away from the difficulty and fatigue that can follow.

Whether in the mountains or in our lives, some peaks stand as obstacles to overcome, and they can discourage us. It seems that the destination, which initially seemed joyful and attractive, turns into an endless nightmare, giving us no joy or enthusiasm, but only painful efforts just to survive. The view becomes blurred, initial motivations lose their appeal, nothing makes sense anymore, and fear takes over.

This photo, taken during a flight departing from Geneva, Switzerland, perfectly represents what we could experience if we stayed in the dimension that God offers us, this assurance that He is in control and knows where He is taking us.

I can leave the plains to fly towards the high peaks and enjoy the view, with the tranquility I feel when I board a plane. I have complete trust in the pilot and use this time between heaven and earth to relax, enjoy the view, or prepare for what awaits me upon arrival.

Of course, this implies that I trust the pilot, the crew, the plane and its technicians, the technology, the weather conditions, and the promise of the destination made to me when I booked my ticket.

Listing all the conditions that ensure my flight will go smoothly, I realize that each thought could make me doubt what I take for granted.

Is the pilot in good shape? Is he a novice? Was the aircraft checked before takeoff? What if a violent storm breaks out? Worse, what if a plane misdirected by air traffic control heads straight for us? What if the plane crashes into the sea, and I freeze while drowning? Or over a desert with no one to rescue me...

Am I exaggerating?

It's true, when I board a plane, I don't have any of these thoughts. I enjoy the flight, the drinks, the view, and the sensations that turbulence sometimes gives me. I love flying and I'm not afraid.

But what I described earlier resonates with those who are afraid of flying.

Some people say a superstitious prayer before boarding, others take anti-anxiety medication. Some close their eyes and hold the hand of the passenger next to them during takeoff, some scream. And some never fly!

They would love to travel, visit distant family or friends, but fear paralyzes them.

So yes, I'm not afraid of flying, and I am privileged. But how many times have I let fear paralyze me, preventing me from acting in life's circumstances? How many times have I let fear of circumstances ruin days that will never come back? How many times have I let my thoughts disturb my inner peace and torture my soul?

Everyone can relate to these questions with their own fears.

Fear of heights, fear of the dark, fear of the night, fear of failure, fear of taking risks, fear of loneliness, fear of losing everything, fear of tomorrow, fear of death, fear of making mistakes, fear of rejection, fear of lacking, fear of being oneself, fear of what might happen, fear of loving, fear of not being loved...

How many times can these fears arise in us during a phone call, a conversation, a sleepless night, an interview, or when facing debts?

How often are these fears justified?

If I'm honest, I can acknowledge that many of my past fears often stemmed only from my thoughts and all the scenarios that followed. Few of these scenarios actually happened. But moments and days were truly wasted. So many minutes and energy wasted. Relationships lost or strained.

We must recognize that we also go through real trials with frightening, painful circumstances that can discourage us and even make us disgusted with life. No one would blame us, no one would want to be in our shoes. These circumstances, these turbulences are real, and God does not judge us. He knows it's difficult. But He wants to tell each of us, or remind us,

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous."

God calls out to us with His words.

I think of this passage in the Gospels. The airplane hadn't been invented yet, and Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee at night in a boat with His disciples. Some of His disciples were seasoned fishermen; navigating the sea didn't scare them, they were used to it. Yet when the storm arose, they were all terrified.

"Master, we are going to perish!"

Jesus, however, was sleeping. Peacefully. Despite being in the same circumstances as His disciples.

And when He woke up, He said:

"Quiet! Be still!"

And the wind died down, and there was a great calm.

And He said to them again:

"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

God calls us to trust Him, and He is always one step ahead of us.

If I feed my fears, they will overwhelm me, like the waves of the sea that threaten. But if I look to His promises, then I can rise and take courage because He is more powerful than I am, and He has complete control over the circumstances of my life. And I can learn to exercise this authority over my thoughts and circumstances to live fully, in peace, regardless of the circumstances, as I can read in the book of Isaiah,

"Banish anxiety, for you have nothing to fear."

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss or leave a comment for other readers.