On our anniversary trip to Disneyland last week, my wife and I went on another of the many rides that I would not have ridden for many years – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT.
It’s like the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios in Florida, a rapidly accelerating up and down elevator type of ride.
It’s on the list with the many fast or high rides that I avoided for years, until the last few years as our family has been going to Disney parks more frequently and I’ve picked up the pace of trying new ones with the boys or with Suzanne.
Last week after riding Guardians, Suzanne asked me,
“What changed?”
What made me suddenly more comfortable riding those types of rides?
I had to ponder that question a bit.
But in the days since, the answer is solidifying for me.
It isn’t something about those rides, per se.
Before, they were unknown. And that scared me.
When you ride a roller coaster or other type of thrill ride, you mostly have to put your trust in the ride as it takes you on an adventure into an unknown territory.
It’s about overcoming a fear of the unknown, or even embracing the unknown and being comfortable with it.
Accepting & Overcoming the Unknown
I think there’s a parallel growth here in the spiritual life, and perhaps growing more comfortable with an unknown ride in a theme park has also come in tandem with growing more comfortable with other unknowns in life.
Perhaps some of this is natural as we grow older and have experienced more in life – especially overcoming more unknowns.
But some of it grows through prayer and deepening trust in God and His providential care.
Scripture to Ponder
Here are some Scripture verses to reflect upon about overcoming fear of the unknown, or accepting the unknown:
Reassurance of God’s Presence
Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.”
A Spirit of Power, Not Fear
2 Timothy 1:7: “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”
Trust and Prayer
Philippians 4:6-7: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God’s Guidance
Psalm 16:11: “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”
Isaiah 42:16: “I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them.”
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