When I was a kid my cousin used to dunk me under the water anytime we’d go out to swim. When I was 16 I chose to give my life to Jesus, and I remember shortly after being asked many times “when are you gonna be baptized?” I certainly never mistrusted my pastor, but the fear in me was fairly immense. I didn’t want to drown, or just come up from under the water coughing and looking like a fool!
Well it seems like God has been having me face many fears lately, and the whole time He’s been showing me that He’ll protect me. For the past few months I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been put in charge of the video stream at my church, dealt with people coming at me personally, and I’ve been legitimately threatened by a crazy man.
In every situation that I’ve faced everything has inevitably turned out okay and God been showing Himself in every circumstance.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28, NIV
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
Psalm 91:11, NIV
My church chose to have a baptism service, and I finally decided “If I can deal with a literal crazy man threatening me I can certainly handle a bit of water.” and I chose to finally face my fears.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4, NIV
In the moments leading up to it I remember just praying and saying “Oh God, please don’t let me make a fool of myself out there.” and I heard “Nothing’s going to happen. You’ll be fine.”
The point of me writing this is to say that facing your fears is incredibly important. I had a great experience getting baptized and the only thing that stopped me for years were fears of what ifs, and situations that truly on existed in my own head.