I remember when I was about eight years old being challenged by a friend to jump off the diving board at the YMCA. He was an expert swimmer. I remember standing there for at least one minute before jumping off. I went straight down and it took longer than I thought to reach near the water’s surface. My friend thought I was having trouble, so he jumped in and accidently pushed me down further. I thought my life was over. My short number of years flashed through my mind. Finally he helped me back up so I could gasp for air. Needless to say, it was awhile before I did that again. But I did. In fact I grew to love the water, even boogey-boarding in the ocean. The only way to defeat fear is to meet it head-on. No guilt, no fear, no condemnation – nothing but trust and hope. That’s what God wants for us, his children.