Every year when the new school year approaches, I remember that gut-wrenching feeling that I had had when I was a kid. The feeling that the summer’s over and I will have to enter a new school and try to make new friends. Many of us may remember the times where as a kid we felt that weird mixture of excitement and anxiety. Now, I look back on all of those times and I am grateful for that feeling, because I now understand that without moving to several new schools, I wouldn’t be as good with people as I am, I wouldn’t know the boldness and strength that was within me, to be open to change and adapt and overcome, and I wouldn’t know that I could be placed in a new environment and not just survive but thrive.

It’s natural to feel nervous about the unknown, but it’s important to remember that growth often happens outside of our comfort zones. Just like Peter, who stepped out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus, we are called to take bold steps of faith, even when we’re scared.

Peter’s story reminds us that even when we feel overwhelmed, Jesus is there to catch us. Similarly, David faced the giant Goliath with unwavering confidence, not because of his own strength, but because he knew God was with him. David’s faith and courage came from his trust in God’s presence and purpose for his life.

When we lean into him more, God grants us overwhelming inner confidence because He goes before us. When we step out in faith, we can be assured that we are not alone. We have a purpose, and we are deeply loved by God. So, as you face the new school year and any accompanying fears, remember that stepping out in faith is part of our journey. Great things rarely happen in the comfort of an easy life. Embrace the challenges, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.

“When you fear God you fear nothing else, but when you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” Oswald Chambers