She stood motionless, clinging to a branch jutting from the edge of the mountain.

She had rounded the corner and all that provided security was gone.

She was trapped.

Both feet firmly planted on the 3-foot ledge. One side – sheer cliff face the other a drop to the bottom of the canyon.

No room for error.

No margin for miscalculation.

No railing, nothing to stop the drop but canyon-floor.

Fear would not allow her to move forward and pride kept her from turning around.

Her husband kept encouraging her,

You can do this! Just look forward – you will be fine.

But all she could do was run through the scenarios in her mind – falling, tumbling, pain.

Finally, fear gave way to pride.

One-step at a time, she turned around and made her way back to safe ground. A lookout point enclosed by a guardrail.

She leaned against the mountainside, tears formed in the corners of her eyes and then spilled down her cheeks onto the dusty earth below. The pounding in her chest was slowing, the spinning calmed, her breathing returned to a steady rhythm.

Through her tears, she looked out over the canyon floor. It was so beautiful but she knew she would not complete the journey today.

Pride had blocked her and the fear of failure consumed her.

I think we often find ourselves standing at a precipice in our lives. Toes inched right to the edge of the cliff, clinging to the handrail we peer over the side. We can see exactly where we want to go. Yet, there is hesitation. The path is partially visible as it winds down the hillside. Yet, we can’t see every step. The route is not exactly the path we had in mind. The mountain is so steep. The twists and turns are unknown. So…

We stand.

Too fearful to move forward. Incapable of asking for help. Paralyzed by the tape that plays relentlessly in our minds – you can’t do this, not today, not ever.

So, we stop.

But we have an amazing God that offers a solution to our condition. He offers His peace in place of our anxiety and fear and He will guide our journey if only we would ask.

Psalm 91: 9-16 reminds us,

(9) If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, (10) no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. (11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (12) they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (13) You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

(14) “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (15) He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

New International Version (NIV)

BeLOVED, when you find yourself facing the edge of a cliff, the anxiety of the unknown, or the paralyzing fear of failure, remember the Lord IS your refuge.

Please don’t allow your fears to cause you to stay in a perpetual state of looking over your shoulder and retracing your steps back to a safe perch. Trust the God of the universe to lead you, direct your steps, according to His plans to a place of refuge.

Be Blessed,

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Have you considered?
• You do not have to do life alone. God waits for your invitation to join your journey.
• Because God loves you, He rescues, protects, brings satisfaction, and eternal salvation.