“Come on Sophia, you can do it! Jump!” Dad coaxed me. He smiled reassuringly, but I shook my head no, my brown hair whipping back and forth across my face. “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said. “I’ll catch you.”

I stubbornly refused, afraid to jump. My dad waited patiently with his arms outstretched. Finally I saw myself bend at the knees and leap toward him. I took flight for a moment as fear enveloped me, but I had faith that everything would be all right. A moment later the cool water splashed me as Dad caught me in his strong, loving arms.

“I knew you could do it!” he exclaimed. I saw myself giggling and trying to break free from his gentle embrace. “I want to do it again, Daddy!”

I smiled to myself. I had faced my fears as a young child, and I knew I could face my fears now. But this time I knew I would have my heavenly Father cheering me on.

Are you standing at the edge? Do you need a little push or some coaxing to keep moving forward? Isaiah 35:4 says, “Say to the cowardly: ‘Be strong; do not fear!’” God does not want us to run away from our fears and problems. He promises that He will walk with us through difficult times.