Navigating Unchartered Waters

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Guest Post: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell @khogrefeparnell

Recently, I enrolled my two-year-old in a two-week swim class. Another mom friend had warned me that her daughter screamed the entire first lesson, so I prepared myself for a similar reaction—but hoped my son would do better.

He didn’t. He screamed most of the class until I finally sat next to him on the edge of the pool. He didn’t know the instructor and didn’t like being separated from me. After that tough introduction, I dreaded day two. I decided I would sit on the edge beside him and the other kids. To my relief, he didn’t cry. He was still clingy, but there were no tears.

By day four, I was no longer sitting next to him, and by the second week, he was running to our front door when it was time to leave for swim class.

While my son’s story may seem laughable, it paints a vivid picture of what stepping into uncharted waters looks like: whether that be a new project, job, family dynamic, or experience. What can we all learn from my little guy?

#1: It’s okay (and normal) to be afraid of new things.

My son was scared of the new teacher. He was also unhappy that I wasn’t in the pool with him (since he’s used to our pool dates together). While most of us are past the stranger-danger stage, we are not immune to fears of failure, rejection, or disappointment. What fear is holding you back today? Remember this promise from 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV).

#2: We must leave our comfort zone behind.

As parents, we push our children to try new things because we know that they need to learn new skills and how to stay safe. As adults, no one is necessarily “pushing” us, although God certainly does nudge us sometimes. What can help you step out in faith in the area God has been speaking to you about? Maybe you need to confide in someone or ask a friend to pray with you as you begin.

There are so many verses in the Bible that call us to a life of courage. One of my favorites in God’s encouragement to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV).

#3: Every day is dunk day.

The owner of my son’s swim school told me that “every day is dunk day” before we registered, and she was not kidding. Every day, our kids were going under water—whether they wanted to or not. They might sputter and cry, but the discomfort was necessary to teach them how to hold their breath and “blow bubbles.”

When we’re learning something new, we’re going to get dunked. It’s going to be uncomfortable. But the discomfort produces the necessary motivation for progress.

#4: When we press on, we discover new joys and possibilities.

By the second week, I didn’t even need to hold my son’s hand to lead him to the pool. He knew who his classmates were, and he was ready to swim! He jumped into his teacher’s arms without hesitating.

After pressing through the discomfort of trying something new, we then find the reward: a new skill, passion, or possibility that wasn’t there before.

#5: We’ll soon graduate to new challenges.

The last day of class, the teacher brought out a giant inflatable slide. My son was scared at first, but after his first ride, he wanted to go down it again and again. At the bottom waiting to catch him was his teacher, and now, he trusted her.

The real question we must answer is this: Do we trust God to see us through the uncharted waters He has called us to face and the opportunities He has given us to pursue? Let’s remember this promise from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV).

What new situation or opportunity are you facing today, and how can you embrace it and grow from it?

Kristen 

Bio

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. Her own suspense story involved waiting on God into her thirties to meet her husband, and she desires to keep embracing God’s plan for her life when it’s not what she expects. Kristen’s books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others, and her novel, Hold Your Breath, is now available. Kristen lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and young son. Connect with her at KristenHogrefeParnell.com.

Thanks Kristen!

Please help me congratulate the winners randomly selected in last week’s LETHAL STANDOFF Reader Giveaway! Confirmed winners include:  Karen V. from N.C., Susan A. from KY, Roxanne C. from N.H., & Marci C. from S.D. Thanks to all readers for participating in the giveaway opportunity. You are appreciated!

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