Ever since I was young I have been afraid of heights.  Once,when I was about nine years old, I climbed to the very top of the highest tree in my yard, tryingto cure myself of fear.  Going up was easy, but when trying to come down the fear had me cornered with no way of escape.

Then the wind began to blow causing the tree to sway this way, then the other way.  I was a prisoner of the heights, and fear kept me from being able to reason a good way down.  I had no faith in my ability to return safely to the terraferma, the same way I had reached the tree’s summit.

Nausea began to weaken me as a cold sweat threatened my grip on the tree.  My mind betrays me with thoughts of plummeting to my death as the only means of escape.

My Dad comes into the yard calling my name, to come to   supper.  I know he is feeling sad because it was his scolding about being afraid that pressed me to go outside and “try to accomplish something good, and build up some confidence.” Now, he is not sure where I am.

I want to yell out, “Dad, I’m up here, HELP!”, but I’m too embarrassed about looking like one of those dumb cats we see in the newspaper, that climbs up a tree and can’t get down.

Not finding me, Dad goes back inside.

The sun is setting, I’m cold, scared, alone and the tree is still swaying. On top of that I’m crying, thinking about being up in this tree for the rest of my life because I was to embarrassed to ask for help.

I look around to see of anyone else is in a tree.  Nope, not a soul.

Just then, Dad comes back into the yard calling my name one more time.

Meekly I answer, “over here.”

He looks around.

Again, but louder I say, “Over Here..Look up, DAD, LOOK UP!”

He looks up and stares for a moment.  Then, without a word, he walks to the carport and returns with a ladder.

Speaking words to give me strength and courage, he climbs up the ladder and instructs me as I slowly, one foot at the time, make my way down from my high place.

Once he is there, I’m no longer afraid.  His strength and his confidence become my own.

Dad says, “looks like you have conquered your fear of going up to high places, that’s good.”, then he adds, “we probably need to put some wood planks up the tree so that you over come any fear of coming down.”

A new habit that I will begin this year, is to give up the fear of things in this world and in the place of fear, to form the habit of giving thanks in all things. Fear of new heights, fear of the opinion of people, fear of being alone, fear of failure…Fear of all types.

Thankful for all things and name them, one by one, until I reach One Thousand.

My memory verse this week, and for as long as it takes to get it from my head to my heart is, Habakukk 3:19.

He is my Strength (my strong undefeatable army), and He has made (established and set, appointed) my feet to be like the feet of a deer, And makes me walk (not stand in fear, but to walk) on my (My) high places (an area that the enemy tries to claim, but has been appointed to me).  And may I add, I will not be afraid.

Linking up with Holy Experience and Walk with Him Wednesdays

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Diane W. Bailey

Diane W. Bailey is the founder of The Consilium – an online community of wisdom and purpose for women over 45 years of age. She is a published author. Her books include String of Pearls – From Tears to Treasure, and 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. She creates her own line of precious metals bracelets. Diane lives in the Deep South with her husband Doc. Together they have created a stepfamily, each having two stepchildren and two birth children, and share three grandchildren, one black lab named Charlie and one long haired tabby cat named Lil Girl. Diane’s passion is to encourage women to be all God has created them to be by pressing past fear and daring to live life as an adventure. Some of her life adventures include traveling to Israel, speaking, entrepreneurship and backyard farming with Doc. She loves Gumbo, fried shrimp and seeing all sunsets across water.

Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)

• What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
• When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
• Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017

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