Snuba? I don’t think so!

Fear has a way of robbing us of our joy and holding hostage our “peace of mind”

This moment in my life helped me to clearly see how fear was doing just that!

It was back in 2010 when I had the great opportunity to visit Israel with my Pastor and Church Family. It became a “Defining Moment” for me as it not only changed my perspective, but it changed the way I live life.

“SNUBA” I don’t think so!      by Lori Clounie

“YOU CAN’T CONTROL THIS …. TRUST ME!”

Little did he know that just a week before, God had spoken these exact same words to me!

Taking in one last gulp of water, I frantically try to explain to Isaac why I am in such a panic.

Two days ago, my friend Karin had convinced me to face my fear and tackle “Snuba” Diving in the Red Sea. She had no idea what she was asking me to do. Just the thought of being 15-20 feet underwater while breathing through a bulky mouthpiece made my heart race.

“Snuba” not “Scuba,” she assured me. Tank above the water or below …. “Only logistics,” I thought.

Tackle my fears? I don’t think so.

But somehow I have found myself here.

Here, waiting on the shore of the most equisite, most beautiful coast of Elot, Israel, just miles away from Egypt.

Here, on the edge of conquering my fear.

Here I am, squeezed into a wet suit, with my belt fastened and my harness strapped on tight!  I’ve traded my sure footed feet in for a pair of fins.

What am I doing here?   Feet in a flurry, I begin treading water in the Red Sea with my air hose spiraling off my back and a small tank topside the water!  My eyes are fixed glued to this bulky little tank, making certain it is trailing closely behind me.  No room for error today!  So with my mask and regulator all secure, we begin diving down.

A pretty sight? Uh, No. But I figure I get points for determination, no matter how goofy I look!

The underwater signs are clear.

Thumb pointed up ~ Doing Great!

Thumb pointed down ~ Not Good!

A wavering hand, side to side — Negotiable!

Isaac looks at me with a question mark on his face as my thumb frantically points downward. He counters my actions with a “thumbs up,” knowing that nothing has changed to warrant my reaction.

Within seconds I shoot straight up, surfacing quicker than a mad dash on Black Friday through Walmart.

I began playing out scenarios in my mind, convincing myself that I needed more air, more time to consider this, more control.

My breathing became shallow as panic gripped me. As quickly as the last doubt has convinced me that I was suffocating and forever trapped beneath water, my feet kicked and screamed their way to fresh air.

Breaking through I yanked off my mouthpiece and sucked in every last ounce of air. Unfortunately, gallons of sea water accompanied each breath as wave after wave plummeted my face.

For many of you this may seem extreme.

But for someone who is claustrophobic, you are probably having to work yourself down at just the thought of this.

Isaac surfaces just behind me, questioning my reasons. When none validates my actions, he looks dead on into my eyes ….

“You can’t control this Lori, you have to trust me!”

Twice these words were uttered. Isaac reaches out his hand waiting for my decision.

{My mind begins to grapple at God’s own words that have recently pierced my heart.  

Not even a week has passed where I found myself in this same quandary, seeking control and finding none.  

Different scenario, same quandary!  

But this time instead of Isaac questioning my reasons, I stood before God Himself at the Wailing Wall.  

Struggling with this same choice.

Questions with no answers.

Faith without Trust.

“You can’t control this Lori, trust me”

The words were as audible to my heart as any words spoken from God,

Trust me.

…. A vivid mental picture comes quickly to mind as I recall stretching my fingers apart, prying lose my once clenched grip and allowing my fears and hopes to fall effortlessly into God’s caring hands.

“Out of my hands and into yours, Lord.”   My heart had agreed to trust, to believe.

And yet here I am again God. Trying to trust.

Releasing my fears into your hands once more.}

A wave splashes me and brings me back to the moment in front of me.

I hold out my hand … Isaac takes it and leads me into the deeper waters. I am amazed at the beauty I see, the beauty I would have missed, had I not trusted.

He was right. I could not control this … but I could choose.

Choose to follow. Choose to trust.

Phil. 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (pleading), with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!

As I read this passage I begin to wonder. What are my “nothings?”

Family? Protection? Provision? …. Did I mention family?

If it is true that the “Love of Money” is the root of all Evil ….. then is it safe to say that the “Fear of Loss” is the root of all Anxiety?

I find as “fear” grips my heart, it doesn’t seem to matter the size of the loss. Fear is fear. Whether it is something as simple as air while Snuba Diving or something more valued like family, friends or protection. It seems, there is always a fear of loss when it comes to anxiety.

Panic sets in, fear overwhelms me and the peace I desire is gone. It is then that this verse confronts me.

Think of the things that keep you up at night. The next time you are worried, look at the root of your worry, your fear.

I was amazed as I did this.

Every fear, every anxiety came with the same result!

If my “fears” played out as I imagined them, there would be loss!

So trusting is placing your “nothing,” your potential “loss” in the hands of God.

Trusting that indeed He will lead you. Lead you into deeper waters. Waters that offer the beauty of peace and joy in the midst of doubt.

His hand is reached out ….The choice is whether I will reach out and take it.

“You can’t control this, I hear God say.” “You have to trust me!”

Be anxious for ” ______________!”

So what is YOUR nothing?

I encourage you to give your “Nothings” to Jesus. Remember, God always catches what we release!

Together we can know God’s peace as we trust Him to hold all that we give Him.