The water closed over my head for the second time at The Sinks, and in that moment, I was certain I would die. The same mountain waters that had looked so inviting from the picnic area were now trying to pull me under, teaching me my first real lesson about fear and faith.
It started as a perfect summer day. At fifteen, I was on a weekend trip with my high school club, the Tri-Tees, in the Great Smoky Mountains. Our little club felt like a sorority, complete with monthly meetings and fundraising projects. That year, after buying a full-length mirror for the girls’ bathroom (yes, a bit self-serving), we had enough money left to rent a small cabin in Gatlinburg for the weekend.
My mother and aunt volunteered as chaperones, helping us cook meals and keeping us safely corralled while still letting us feel grown-up and independent. The Sinks, a popular swimming hole formed by dynamited logging jams, seemed like the ideal spot for a Saturday picnic. None of us knew it had claimed over 60 lives.
The Moment of Crisis:
I remember the exact second fear took control. Several girls had swum out to a small island in the middle of the river while I stayed behind to help unpack the picnic. After a quick wardrobe emergency with my two-piece swimsuit (thank goodness for safety pins!), I jumped in to catch up. But halfway between the island and shore, the current caught me. My arms burned. The cold water shocked my muscles. Each stroke forward seemed to pull me two strokes back. The roar of the falls downstream grew louder.
From the hilltop picnic area, my mother and aunt had been watching our group swim. Now, as my head bobbed under for the first time, I caught a glimpse of them. My mother, who couldn’t swim any better than I could, was already kicking off her shoes, ready to jump in after me. She later told me my face showed such raw panic that she knew this wasn’t one of my teenage dramatic moments. Like any mother, she was ready to risk everything for her child.
Panic does something strange to your mind. Logic disappears. Solutions blur. Like Peter walking on water, the moment I focused on the waves instead of faith, I began to sink. “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30) became more than just a verse – it was my desperate prayer. In that moment, I saw my mother’s love mirror God’s love – willing to dive into dangerous waters to save her child.
The Rescue:
My friend Carolyn’s voice cut through the panic: “Stop fighting!” She had reached me just before my third submersion. Initially, I grabbed at her desperately – fear making me a danger to my own rescuer. Then something clicked. I had to let go of my panic to let her save me.
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) took on new meaning that day. Sometimes being still is the hardest act of faith.
The Spiritual Lesson:
Later, I learned the truth: I was never in real danger of going over the falls. The river grew shallow downstream. My terror had created a deadly situation out of a manageable one. By fighting so hard against the current, I had exhausted myself. By panicking, I had blinded myself to simpler solutions.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Fear is like that current. The harder you fight it, the more it drains you. Sometimes survival means letting go of the very control you think you need. It means trusting the One who commands the waters. Just as Jesus calmed the storm, He can calm the turbulent waters of our fears.
Years later, I still face moments when fear threatens to pull me under. But now I recognize the sensation. When my heart races and my mind spirals, I remember The Sinks. I recall not just the terror, but the lesson: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
The Truth About Fear and Faith:
- Fear magnifies dangers beyond their real proportions
- Fighting against fear often exhausts us more than the actual threat
- Surrender to God is stronger than struggle against fear
- Our worst moments become platforms for God’s greatest teachings
- Like Peter, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, not the waves
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Walking in Faith:
Today, when life’s currents seem overwhelming, I remember to:
- Pause and pray before panic
- Trust God’s presence in the waters
- Let go of control and let God guide
- Look for His hand in the rescue
- Share the testimony of His faithfulness
Practical Steps for Moving Through Fear:
- Recognize the Signs
Just as I felt my muscles tensing and breath shortening in that river, fear has physical signals:
- Racing thoughts
- Shallow breathing
- Muscle tension
- Tunnel vision
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22)
- Pause and Assess
Before reacting, take a moment to:
- Stop and breathe deeply
- Name your specific fear
- Ask yourself: “What’s the worst that could happen?”
- Remember past victories
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- Break It Down
Like navigating around those rocks in the river, break big fears into smaller challenges:
- Focus on the next step, not the entire journey
- Set small, achievable goals
- Celebrate small victories
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
- Build Your Support System
Just as Carolyn pulled me to safety:
- Share your struggles with trusted friends
- Join a faith-based support group
- Seek wise counsel when needed
“Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
- Take Action with Faith
Move forward with:
- Small, deliberate steps
- Prayer and meditation
- Scripture memorization for tough moments
- Regular practice facing smaller fears
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- Document Your Journey
Keep a fear-faith journal:
- Record your fears and how God meets you in them
- Write down Scripture that speaks to your situation
- Track your progress and victories
- Note lessons learned for future challenges
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” (Psalm 107:28)
Remember: Progress Over Perfection
Like learning to swim, overcoming fear is a process. Some days you’ll feel stronger than others. The goal isn’t to never feel fear – it’s to move through it with faith and wisdom.
Think of it like spiritual muscle memory. Each time you practice these steps, you’re building stronger faith reflexes for the next challenge. Just as I learned to respect the river while no longer being paralyzed by it, you can learn to acknowledge your fears while not being controlled by them.
When has God turned your moments of fear into testimonies of faith? How has surrendering control strengthened your trust in Him?
