“No problem, it’s just rain and slush,” my friend said with a smirk. “If you can’t handle this, how are you going to handle the tribulation?”
“I’m not planning to be here for the tribulation,” I shot back. “You can stay if you want, but I’m outta here.”
The subject of this conversation was my one-hour drive from the foothills of South Carolina to Asheville, NC, and my life-long fear of driving in snow and ice. After a terrifying snow-experience in high school, I have shied away from venturing out in a vehicle ever since.
Several years ago I faced this fear head-on by driving four hours to Crossville, Tennessee. There was an abundance of snow and I drove in, on, through and around it. When my car came safely back down that mountain, I thought my fear had been conquered.
Apparently not. Now it was resurfacing and I had a decision to make.
I chose to face it again and headed up the mountain. Twenty minutes into my drive, I called my husband. “I have a knot in my stomach the size of a grapefruit.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “You’ll be fine. Just take it slow and be careful. And don’t slam on your brakes.” His words of encouragement gave me the courage to press on.
The trees were solid white, snow blanketed the ground, and slush covered the road. I quoted every Scripture I knew on fear, peace, and God’s protection. I sang, “I have the peace of God in me . . .” and tried to concentrate on the beauty around me instead of my fear. Several times I had to remind myself to breathe.
Three days in the North Carolina mountains surrounded by snow-capped hills, trees painted with a icy glow, and fellow believers and friends made the trip well worth the effort. My next hurdle was getting safely back down the mountain—in one piece and back to the security of my home and family.
Once again, God was merciful, gracious and faithful. As I prayed and kept my mind focused on Him, He lovingly guided and protected me, just like He always does. God has truly not given us a spirit of fear and, when that fear tries to attach itself to us, perfect love—God’s love poured out in our hearts—will cast it out.
What are you afraid of? Recognize it and give it to God. He will wrap His arms around you, fill you with His peace, and deliver you safely to your destination.
Photo courtesy www.morgefile.com & georgina53
Andrea Merrell is Associate Editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She has led workshops at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference (KCWC), Writers Advance Boot Camp, and The CLASS Christian Writers Conference. Her work has been published online and in numerous anthologies. Andrea’s first book, Murder of a Manuscript, was released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (LPC) in 2014. Her next book, Praying for the Prodigal, will be released by LPC in 2015. To learn more about her, visit her website, www.andreamerrell.com, or her blog for writers, www.TheWriteEditing.blogspot.com.
