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

Sometimes the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, intimidation or other difficulties shows up in unexpected, unlikely moments. You wake up and suddenly realize you’re in one of those heart-racing, weak-in-the-knees moments, walking to the edge, preparing to jump in deep.

Taking a leap of faith requires letting go of the comfortable yet slippery ground that we so often try to stand on — that slippery lie that makes us believe we can control what happens to us. The truth is we can’t control what happens to us. We can’t control the wind or the waves that rock our boats and make us long for dry land.

But there is an all-powerful, all-knowing God whom even the wind and waves obey. He is always in control. Taking a leap of faith requires trusting in Him, knowing He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. And He is with us wherever we go.

When we trust Him, God can make us brave. He can help us conquer fears.

In Him, we can be brave enough to jump.

And in Him, we can be brave enough to fall.

Even brave enough to fly.

Next Sunday, our youngest daughter is getting baptized — taking the next step in obedience to Christ as she tells others about trusting in Him. In her walk with Christ Jesus, we pray that she faces trials courageously, trusts the LORD wholeheartedly, and acknowledges Him in all her ways. May she always know He is with her and will direct her path — even through the deepest waters, fiercest winds and highest waves.