“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Lead Me To the Spacious Place

Several years ago now, I took my Fourth Grade class up a mountain to the highest point in our state for a hands-on, nature-filled, educational adventure.  As it turned out, it was a little more adventurous than I could handle.  As the leaders explained to the kids about what the next activity would be, my pulse quickened and my hands began to sweat. A cave. We were headed underground. I. Was. Worried.

For as long as I can remember, even the thought of small, closed-in places causes panic to rear its ugly head, and to purposely put myself into one? Well let’s just say my insides were a mess!  But, there I was the teacher….so with assurance from the guides that it would open up into a wide cavern, I put on my hard hat and hesitantly ventured in. Squeezing through narrow passageways my heart felt as if it would burst from my chest. As the entrance disappeared from sight, I had a hard time catching my breath. Finally, we reached our destination below the earth and they were right, it was a larger space. What we failed to talk about was that it was also pitch dark! Sitting on the cold damp cave floor, not being able to see my own hand let alone my students’ faces, the space to me became smaller and smaller. That’s when fear set in. All I could think about was escape!

A kind caver had to lead this shaking in the knees ole teacher back out, where I then waited for my class’ return. Disappointed in myself? Completely! Wish I’d trusted those who were leading the way more? For sure! Embarrassed to let my kids down? Most definitely! Thankful to be sitting back in the light, airy landscape? Absolutely! With a wide open view, peace returned and my fear retreated!

Guess what? A dark cave isn’t the only place where fear steals my breath. Sometimes in the dark of night, lying in my own bed I get scared. Health issues whirl in my mind: my pulse quickens. The well-being of my children and grandsons dominate my thoughts: I begin to sweat. Life’s worries are consuming and I can’t see a way out. The walls of anxiety seem to close in around me and all I can do is hope for an escape! I suspect some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Recently, I came across these verses in Psalms and they’ve been like a light in the darkness to me. I hope they are for you too:

“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 118:5-6(NIV)

As I’ve pondered these words it’s occurred to me that as hard as I try to avoid small, tight spaces, for some reason I’ve allowed my worries and fears to trap me in just such a place, hard pressed on all sides! I hadn’t thought about it in that way before. Disappointed in myself? Yep! Wish I’d trust God’s leading more? Beyond any doubt! Embarrassed that I still let anxiety take me down? Without question. Here’s what I’m thankful for though: no matter what we’re confined by, we have an “Escape”! All we have to do is cry out and He brings us not just out into the light, but into a spacious place. A boundless space where we can breathe in His Spirit, a comfortable spot where our hearts beat to the rhythm of His peace, a generous place where our fear will finally retreat. Whether in a cave, an airplane, an elevator, or even our own beds, it doesn’t matter. Fear can’t trap us because the Lord is with us always, everywhere we go, and He’ll lead us into the spacious place of His love.

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:19 (NIV)

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