My son runs the hurdles in track and field. When he first started running them a couple of years ago, I was nervous, but I knew he could do it because he is very athletic and adventurous. He wasn't nervous at all but confident he could do it. The very first track meet he fell on his but hopped right up and kept going. He hurt his collar bone but he wanted to do it again. He researched and watched videos on YouTube of Olympians running hurdles. He practiced his form and hasn't fell on hurdles in the last two years. His feet don't touch the hurdles when he is leaping over them. He always runs the same race, which is the 100 meter hurdles. He is very comfortable with them that now he just works on getting faster.
The other day the coach had him to run 200 meter hurdles. I was confident he could do it. He was nervous this time. He, once again, watched videos and practiced. He was anxious about the 200 meter up until it was time to get out there.
The 200 meter hurdles race is a lot different than the 100 meter. The hurdles are spread out and there is a curve involved. I said my prayer that I pray before all of his races when I see when the commentator says, "on you mark."
My prayer is, "Lord Jesus be with my son, run this race with him."
Commentator, "Get set." A few seconds pass, then the gun goes off for the race to start. My son takes off flying over the hurdles, running in between, gliding with ease like it was nothing. He came first. I was amazed and thankful to God. After the race my son was relieved and excited.
As we walked back to the car, I told him how proud I was of him. He raced even though he was nervous about the race. I asked him why was he nervous when he was so good at running the 100 meter hurdle race. He explained it was because he never ran it. I told him I understood because it's being afraid of the unknown and I'm glad he did it anyway. Being scared of the unknown is when faith has to kick in. He understood.
Life is all about risk. Everything we make decisions about is a risk. A new job is a risk, new friends, new spouse, new anything is a risk. It's a risk because the outcome is unknown. The unknown of the outcome can cause anxiety. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6, NIV "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."
In the unknown, don't let anxiety keep you from winning. If God said do it, do it. Praise God while stepping out on faith to doe something afraid. Missing something because of fear could be a missed blessing. The enemy would love for everyone to not have faith and live a life of fear. He wants us to shrink and take a leap over hurdlers, like my son did. My son leaped his way to victory because he did something afraid. Let this be an encouraging word for you take a leap with God to victory.
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