When my older son David was in high school, he, his friend AJ, and I went on a trip to Cedar Point, an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point has 18 world-class roller coasters, which was the main objective for David and AJ. At the top of their list was Millennium Force, a super-charged coaster with a 300’ hill that got you going up to 93 mph via an 80 degree drop.
We were there as the park opened and David & AJ raced to get in line to ride Millennium Force. I moved a bit more slowly. I don’t particularly like heights, and at the time Millennium Force featured the tallest drop in the world. “I’ll watch while you and AJ ride”. David cajoled me to stand in line with them. And then get into a car because I didn’t want to embarrass David in front of his friend (picture an adult screaming and running away). Thankfully, the coaster used a unique cable lift that pushed us up the 45 degree hill at 15 mph instead of employing the slow moving chain which gets your heart beating super-fast by the time you crest the lift hill and see the drop. The 300’ drop.
From Scary Roller Coaster to a Mission Trip
In 2013, a team from our church went on our first mission trip to Stayner, Ontario. Stayner Missionary Camp is a permanent campground operated by Evergreen Christian Ministries (see the beautiful chapel on the grounds to the left). Trail of the Pines was an overnight camp that drew kids from all over Ontario for a week of fun and spiritual growth. Our trip was to host their first VBS day camp for elementary-age children in the Stayner region.
And On To a Spirit of Fear
What do a super scary roller coast, a petrified parent, and a day camp in Canada have in common? The theme for VBS aligned with my Cedar Point experience – Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear! Trusting God!” The key verse was from 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV): “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
Campers were encouraged to tap into God’s promise to give them the courage to face their fears by trusting Him. Whether the sense of fearfulness came from exchanging the familiar for the unfamiliar, speaking up when it was right to do so, or making the ultimate decision to believe in Jesus and trust Him as Savior, campers could trust God for the Spirit of power, love, and sound judgment.
On the last day of camp, the people in Stayner experienced something new for the region – a tornado. Those of us from North Carolina knew what to do since the state experiences several tornadoes each year. We ushered the children, teen workers, and adults into the windowless hallway of the main lodge which was built with cinder blocks. Several of the campers that had acted tough all week were petrified. While we didn’t want the tornado, it provided us a God-given opportunity to sing the camp songs about trusting God, remind them of the week’s Bible verse about not having a spirit of fear, and calm their fears. Thankfully, the tornado and associated rains blew over quickly with no damage to the camp.
How Do You Handle Scary Things?
Throughout our lives, we will be tossed into situations that will petrify us. Some situations, like for me in the line at Cedar Point, are relatively trivial, although it didn’t seem that way at the time. I could just swallow my pride and skip the ride. Snakes would draw a similar reaction. Even harmless ones.
My father was in the U.S. Army, so we moved often. I went to 3 different schools in 4th grade. Starting a new school or a new school year is another fearful situation, and in this case, it was made worse by my starting 4th grade mid-year … twice.
A quick Google search of situations that could cause anxiety (a spirit of fear) includes starting a new job, going to new school, the first day of a school year, going on a first date, moving to a new town, getting married or divorced, finding out that you have a major illness, any form of public speaking, and losing your job. I’m sure there are plenty more.
Stepping out of our comfort zone leads to thoughts of failure, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear: when we don’t have much or any control, or when we’re overwhelmed. We want to be in the driver’s seat, to control a happy destiny that doesn’t include disappointment, anxiety, and fear.
Handling Fearful Situations
When fearful situations arise, it is important to remember that fear is not from God. It stems from our insecurities and doubts, when we attempt to address the challenges facing us with our own power.
“Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. Lloyd Ogilvie in Facing the Future Without Fear: Prescriptions for Courageous Living in the New Millennium said there are 366 “Fear nots” in the Bible, one for every day of the year, including Leap Year (Happy 2024!).
But God did not give us a Spirit of fear. Instead, He gave us the power to move mountains, overcome obstacles, and conquer challenges, and to do so much more than we could do on our own. “Dunamis”, a Greek word for power used 117 times in the New Testament, is the root for dynamite. The Spirit that God gave you to conquer fear is dynamite.
Joshua was a new leader of the Israelites as they ended their exodus and prepared to enter the Promised Land. Even though he had been mentored by Moses for many years, Joshua was not Moses. Would the people listen to him? God knew of Joshua’s fears and reminded him in Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “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.”
The Next Time You’re Afraid, Remember
When fear arises, remember what God tells us: You are more than a conqueror Romans 8:31-39 (NIV). Nothing … NOTHING … EVER can separate you from the love of God. Repeat that daily. Chris Tomlin captured this in “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)“:
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
In 1 Samuel 17:44-46, we learn about this “God of angel armies” with a new name – Jehovah Tsaba, The Lord of Hosts. God’s host of angel armies.
Claim God’s promises. He will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). God is preparing a place for you to live with Him in heaven forever (John 14:2 NIV).
Identify areas where fear has been holding you back, then take courageous steps forward knowing that the God that created the universe is with you always (Matthew 28:20 NIV)
Replace your spirit of fear with faith. Trust God. He keeps His promises.
Oh, and I rode Millennium Force 8 times that day at Cedar Point. What can I say?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me power, love, and self-discipline. Help me walk in faith. I surrender all of my fears and anxiety to you and commit to live fearlessly for your glory.
