The Risk of Hanging On

Week 33, Thursday

Lori McDaniel

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

We calculated how deep the water was before we took hold of the rope and jumped off the cliff. We assessed that if we didn’t let go at the right time, we might fall into dangerously shallow water. My dad jumped. As he reached the peak of the swing, he did not let go. No one had calculated the risk of not letting go. He swung back into the cliff, hitting the rocks, and we scrambled to pull him to safety.

We use risk management skills to identify areas of probable failure so that we can control and minimize loss or maximize opportunity. Faith is not controlling and minimizing risk. Don’t be mistaken. Faith has its risks. There will still be enemies to battle, pain that will come, and failures that will happen; however, it is a greater risk to avoid faith and remain behind.

Refusing to let go of personal interests interrupts the miracles God wants to do and steals the joy He intends for us to know. We will remain insecure and wonder if God will ever use our life to make an impact for Him. When we risk hanging on, we chain ourselves to fear. We voluntarily become its slave, beaten down with constant uncertainty. We sacrifice truly knowing God for a smaller version of Him.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were summoned to bow or burn (see Daniel 3). They refused to give in to the fear of death and bow before the king’s false god. They boldly told the king instead that their great God could deliver them from the blazing fire. Then they announced that even if He didn’t, they still would not give in to their nation’s small god. The three men knew the risk of moving forward, and also the fate of bondage if they caved. Faith was their Plan A. There was no Plan B.

Our risk questions need to change. We ask, “What if God doesn’t show up?” Instead, we should ask, “What if He does?” Faith is not living on the edge. Faith is living off the edge and letting go of the rope. Releasing fear is not a simple task. It’s not even a one-time event. It’s constantly seeking the Lord, taking hold of courage, and experiencing His deliverance.

My fears overwhelm me. Forgive me for holding on. Deliver me, God. I take hold of courage and move forward on the path You have called me to. Amen.