Excitement or Fear

Have you ever had a session where you get up before light, pack the car and head down to the beach to meet the crew on a big day? As you get to the beach in the dark, start getting the board out and get suited up, all you hear is the heavy sound of the water hitting the sandbar.

The last time I had this kind of session was in Hawaii, we had a shot to go surf manageable Sunset so we did the whole dawn patrol routine. However, when I got to the beach and got ready to paddle out, my stomach dropped, all that stoke turned into nervousness and a little bit of fear. It was my first trip to the North Shore and I was definitely out of my element. The whole paddle out, I was on edge and just couldn’t get settled when I got out there. I was sitting on the fence between being scared and stoked. It was one the heavier waves I’ve been in and I was not surfing too well on this trip. All those things lead to a bad headspace to surf solid waves. Long story short, I got pounded on a couple and spent most of the session playing dodgeball with the set waves.

Right now I’m going through a season of life that feels a lot like that session, a lot of big things coming and I’m super excited but also terrified at the same time. Whether you are paddling out on a day that pushes your personal limits or getting ready to get married and buy a house you will probably experience this type of nervous excitement that borders on straight fear.

One verse that has stood out to me in this season is Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Whether I am freaking out about getting drilled by a bomb at Sunset or preparing for a new stage of life, I can go to the Lord with all of my anxiety and fear and leave it all at His feet because He is a Father who cares for us so well.

Photo by: Solveig Jobbins