CAUTION…The following is intended to make you lose your layers
I was 10. It was a warm day, the sultry air was barely moving as sweat dripped down my face and neck. Humidity moistened my paper fan and it hung limp in my hand, no relief.
My brother languished beside me on the back steps of our house. Usually we were pestering each other but all we had energy for was to eat popsicles and let our dog lick the sticks clean. What on earth could we do for some fun that would make this heat bearable we wondered?
My mom had the perfect idea, we were going swimming to the Greek pool!
We lived in Tanzania, East Africa and on the outskirts of town there was a Greek school that had a pool on its grounds. Non-members were allowed to use it when school wasn’t in session as long as you knew someone who had a key to let you in.
We excitedly put our swimming suits on, grabbed extra clothes and towels and ran to the vehicle.
The school compound came into sight with its high cement walls and gated entrance. Some friends had the same idea and we saw them parked by the pool, their parents promising to return in a couple of hours.
My brother and I waved as mom drove away. Nothing could be better than swimming on a hot afternoon in an outdoor pool with our friends!
We jumped in doing cannonballs and splashing each other with reckless abandon, screaming and laughing at each other’s antics. As with all kids, things got sillier and sillier as the afternoon progressed.
Honestly I don’t remember whose idea it was at first. All I know is that we loved it and giggled uncontrollably at the delicious thoughts.
We were going to have fun!
There were six of us in an Olympic sized pool and so there wouldn’t be a problem! The plan was to swim to the outer edges of the pool, each of us as far apart as possible to avoid any unpleasant circumstances, count to three and let ‘er rip.
So, we did as agreed.
ONE, TWO, THREE
Thwumpthumpthumpthump
Six sets of bathing suits flying in the air landed on the hot cement pool deck far out of reach. We laughed and giggled and swam in small circles, careful not to get close to anyone in case they could see us in all of our childhood glory.
I loved the feeling of freedom, the water was cool against my skin and I felt weightless. It didn’t take long to realize we had a small problem.
Our bathing suits were out of reach and our mothers would be returning soon, what were we going to do?
No one wanted to be first out of the water and being the brave sister that I was promptly nominated my brother who just as promptly told me to take a hike. We were at an impasse.
All of a sudden we heard a vehicle coming down the road and held our breath, eyes wide with terror that only children being naughty could understand. We needed a plan!
We quickly decided on the count of three to turn towards the pool deck and jump out, NO PEEKING, run for our suits and pull them on before our mammas got there. We counted in unison
ONE TWO THREE
Out we went, streaking buck naked for our suits! Pulling and tugging we almost ripped them so we could get them on before anyone else was done and had turned back around.
I haven’t skinny-dipped since that day and I have also never forgotten what it felt like to be that free.
Honestly, rather than freedom I feel fear.
When I was young I suffered from re-occurring nightmares that would leave me sweat soaked and terrorized.
As I got older those fears turned into insecurities. Aren’t we good at hiding them? Most of the people we meet never know how crippled we are on the inside.
The funny thing is that the harder we try to look perfect on the outside the higher the wall around our hearts becomes and we’re left feeling desperately lonely.
Fear is like layers and layers of clothing we put on; the more we add the more restrictive they become. They start stifling and choking us and all of a sudden we realize we can’t move.
Do you struggle like I do? How can we cope when we’re assaulted with fear? Here are three keys that have helped me:
KEY ONE: TURN
Turn to the Lord. Psalm 121:1-2 says “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” When fear is in control we hide and cower but the Psalmist says don’t look down, look up and remember that the Lord will help you!
KEY TWO: TUNE
Tune in to your fear. Voice it, name it, look it square in the eye. There is “event fear” like the diagnosis of terminal illness, your marriage falling apart, your child running away from home, losing your job.
Event fear stops you at the height of the devastation you are afraid of and keeps you from thinking any further than that point. If that’s what you’re dealing with ask yourself: what then? The Lord has been with us before, he will be with us again. He will guide us to respond to each situation with his wisdom and in his love. He will never leave us!!
And then there’s the popular “enough fear”. I’m not ________ enough (add your own word here).
By voicing our fears, giving them a name we bring them out into the open so we can use the word of God as a ruler or benchmark of truth against the lies Satan wants us to believe.
KEY THREE: THANK
Thank the Lord for the opportunity to see his love at work. When we throw our anxieties on him he cares for us so much that he takes them and carries them for us. It releases us from trying to manipulate the outcome. It frees us.
Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (NIV) So I challenge you today to get naked! Be courageous and intentional in removing the layers of fear and insecurity that have entangled you. Let’s do this together!
ONE TWO THREE let’s go!