The JOY Challenge: Day 25 - Fear of Heights

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

Congratulations to Mary Lynn! Her comment on Day 24 was chosen by the random number generator and she's getting the leather prayer journal from DaySpring. If you still want the journal or anything else on DaySpring.com you can get 20% off with my friends and family code (holley20).

Husband and I sit on the couch talking about this plateau of joy I've been facing. I laugh and say, "I'm scared of heights...emotionally."

And then I realize my silly words are true. In some sense, joy puts us at risk of falling. We have more to lose.

Sadness, anxiety, fear. All of these keep us low to the ground. The view isn't that great but somehow we feel safer.

I even remember reading a study during grad school that showed people are more likely to gravitate toward negative emotions for that very reason.

I ponder this and then truth comes...

If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. Psalm 37:24 NCV

Of course, these words don't mean I won't have disappointments or difficult days. But there is One who will catch me.

And in that moment I realize...

Joy is not a tightrope—it's a walk of faith.

Would you like to join me in the Joy challenge? Just share one thing that brings you joy or that God has taught you about it. I'm having random giveaways for people who comment or subscribe during the forty days. And you never know when it could be you...   

Comments

[C.C.]

It is interesting. I am choosing joy, yet the other feelings still linger beneath the surface.

I've caught up to you! :-)

http://his-heart.blogspot.com/2009/09/joy-challenge-day-25.html

[Katie]

I am, by nature, a pretty serious person. I will say that my journey with the Lord has and is teaching me to find more and more joy in my everyday. I have found spending time in praise and worship(my absolute FAVORITE thing to do), meditating on His word, and surrounding myself with as much of God's truth as I can get my hands on brings joy that I don't have to choose or work on. Joy just comes......
I am so grateful to the Lord for changing me from glory to glory to a person who would, for the first time in her life, choose, seek and pursue joy.

[~Grace & Peace]

Joy is stepping out in faith. Buying the book for someone I don't even know who lost her mother. Feeling awkward (okay, weird) about doing it. But forging ahead and doing so anyway.

[Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect]

So true, Holley. My best friend and I have talked about this several times, as a matter of fact. In both our families, we've learned to play things down and expect negative results - that way we won't be disappointed. Choosing joy is definitely a matter of faith.

[Nancy]

when beginning new things I am often scared unless I remember to hold onto Jesus hands

[Connie]

Hi Holley I find JOY in the more difficult times that GOD IS TRULY IN OUR MIDST HELPING US TO CARRY AND BEAR THE CROSS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WE MUST ALL THANK GOD ALWAYS IN ALL THINGS AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES SOME GREAT AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT GREAT GOD WOULD NEVER EVER FORSAKE ANYONE OF US TO CARRY THAT CROSS ALONE.GOD BLESS YOU HOLLEY AND YOUR FAMILIES AND EVERYONE AT DAYSPRING.COM

[Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom)]

I think this comment is going to stick with me for a long time, Holley. "Joy is not a tightrope—it's a walk of faith." Thank you, once again! {hug}

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, It is so refreshing to know that despite what happens to the righteous because he or she is walking by faith in God that God upholds their hands even when they stumble. God is always there for His children offering support and care in times of needs and of course His people are walking by faith and not by sight. Of course we still need to still take care and ask God to guide and support us in our daily walk with Him. Today my husband & I enjoyed being with our friends and family watching our favorite game of the year, the Australian Football Grand Final and my no one football team Geelong won!

[Bonnie Gray]

Wow. The ending sentence was a k-i-l-l-e-r quote, Holley!

"Joy is not a tightrope—it's a walk of faith."

I feel the *same* way you do, when I'm at the heights of feeling euphoric joy. I look down and I start "feargazing".

Now, I'm learning to faithgaze. So, girl, I'm gonna add your quote to my faithgazing equipment! (yep, I wrote a post 'bout it just 2 weeks ago. Does God have us on a similar faith walk of joy or what?!?) ;p

I just jumped off my tightrope reading your post, when you helped me realize it's a walk of faith. Amazing what a string of words can do, when it's inspired by God. Seriously!