What do these two pictures have in common? You guessed correctly, water. The bridge goes over the water, and the ship sails in the water. Looking at these two pictures, some may look at them with little or no thought about them, but some, like my husband, Tony, saw them as places he dreaded going. We all have fears or reservations about something in our lives due to painful or unpleasant events. I wrote about my fears of little, tiny geckos (lizards), snakes, and others in previous blogs. You can read one of my stories https://hispreciousgift.com/wordpress/jesus-our-rescuer-from-our-fears/. But, today, with my husband’s permission, I want to share his fear of water and how the Lord is healing him of his fear.

 

It all began in Kingston, Jamaica, where my husband, Tony, grew up. One day on a family outing to the beach, Tony’s uncle decided to teach him to swim. So, he took Tony into the deep waters, then laid him across his arms and told him to kick his legs while he held him. But unknowingly to Tony, his uncle removed his arms from beneath him, and he began to sink. Tony swallowed the water and thought he would drown. From that day forward, for 55 years of his life, he had an aversion to water.

 

Bridges

Because my husband could not swim every time he drove over bridges, he grabbed the stirring wheel tightly and prayed the Lord would take him safely across the bridge. In Jacksonville and surrounding areas, several bridges take us from one community to another. My husband sometimes cautiously asked me, “Are we getting close to the bridge yet?” Then he went through his ritual.

 

One day, I asked my love, “Why don’t you give your fear to the Lord?” He thought about it; a few days later, he said, “I gave my fear of bridges to the Lord.” As we drove to Costco across the bridge above two weeks later, I watched as my husband looked around at the scenery of the boats sailing underneath us, driving with only one hand. Hallelujah! No more cringing or holding tightly to the steering wheel! He was FREE!

 

Boats

In December 2021, my love and I wanted to see the Christmas lights in St. Augustine. We were told the lights would be more beautiful if we saw them from a tour boat rather than walking. I had been trying to get my husband on a boat for years, but now it was time to take the next step to freedom. Tony gave his fear of boats to the Lord and said yes, then we ventured on the boat to see the lights.

 

The night of our tour was cold and the water choppy, but Tony remained calm and relaxed. We even stood up in the boat to take pictures as we enjoyed the colorful lights of the city of St. Augustine: it was a very romantic evening. 

 

Jesus, our Lord, defeated every fear imaginable for us! All He requires is just one tiny seed of faith placed into His care, then our awesome Lord living within us exchanges our fear for His Life of GRACE AND FREEDOM!

 

Cruise Ship

It had been at least three years since I talked to my husband about going on a cruise, so I asked him to speak to the Lord about our trip. I wanted my husband to experience the fun, food, and laughter I experienced on my first cruise. I reminded him of how he gave his fear of bridges and boats to the Lord, and certainly He is willing to accept his fear of cruising. As I waited for my husband’s answer, I researched two new ships that had just begun sailing in the past year. Then, I picked three days, five days, and seven days cruises. Tony came to me and said, “I gave my fear to the Lord, and I am ready to go cruising!” I gave him the three choices with excitement, and he chose the seven-day cruise on the newest ship of Holland America, Ms. Rotterdam. 

 

It was amazing watching the beautiful things our Father did during our cruise! While the ship was sailing, we walked several miles around the ship’s outside deck each morning after breakfast. Tony and I relaxed on the balcony of our cabin as the waves crashed against the ship. It was glorious watching my Beloved at rest and peace on the cruise.

 

On our cruise, we connected with a NEW brother and sister in Christ, Richard and Martha Musselman from Virginia celebrating their 50th anniversary.

 

I can share many marvelous things about our unforgettable cruise and the wonderful people we met, but Ephesians 3:20-21 sums it from the Amplified Bible.

 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

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Our story began with a fear of water which led to a bridge, then a boat, and finally a cruise but all brought my husband to a childlike faith in Jesus Christ who is our only bridge to TRUE Freedom in every area of our lives.

 

So, what are your fears? We do not have to live with fears any longer. Fear is not a friend but our enemy. He is a culprit of the evil one to keep us bound from enjoying all our Father has prepared for us in this life. But we have a choice, to hold on to the hands of fear or let it go by placing it in the hands of the Lord. He died to set us FREE FROM ALL OF OUR FEARS.

 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. I Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

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Enjoy Christ, Enjoy (Zoe) Our Life!