A Higher CallingChikamu

Faith Over Fear

I (Rachel) supported Harold’s choice to follow his dream and climb Everest to raise awareness for soldiers recovering from PTSD. At the same time, I was terrified of something happening to him.

We hadn’t been married a full year when Harold and his team set off on their trek. I stayed in touch as closely as I could when they were on the mountain. After one particular call from Mount Everest’s Advanced Base Camp, Harold had sounded exhausted as he told me about the significant snowstorm headed his way, forcing his team to climb back down to a lower elevation. I knew with bad weather conditions, a tired body, and many hours of descending in low visibility, the chances of something going wrong were significantly higher. 

I couldn’t help but wonder, Is my husband making a bad decision—perhaps a fatal one? I didn’t know when I’d hear from him next, if at all. 

I was trying to be strong, but deep down, I was afraid of being left alone. I feared that if something did happen, I would blame Harold for making the choice to leave. Or I’d blame myself for letting him go.

Every day he was gone, I realized how precious and fragile life is and what truly matters. It’s not the material things, the success, the money, or our physical appearances. It’s the people we love. 

The little moments count. 

Living with that truth in the forefront of your mind changes you. It’s changing me. I am starting to approach life with an attitude of thanksgiving, even in the midst of my trials. I realize my time with Harold is limited, and time is better spent being joyful and living in love rather than living in anger, frustration, or stress. I remind myself something I have told others: You are capable of more than you can imagine. And with God by your side, you will always come out stronger! 

What can you do so that fear won’t write your story? What choices can you make so that circumstances won’t control your joy? It’s our love for others that makes us afraid of losing them, yet the Bible tells us that “there is no fear in love,” and love actually drives out fear (1 John 4:18). What would it look like, right now, to choose faith over fear as you pray for those you love?