Chapter 9 · 1 min read · 2 min listen
Afraid of the Deep Water
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” — Isaiah 43:2
By now, everyone knew Amanda as a woman who told others to trust God, no matter what. Then, one day, some friends said, “Amanda, we believe God wants you to sail across the great ocean to England, to tell people about Jesus there.”
But there was a secret in Amanda’s heart. She was afraid of the deep, wide sea. She kept making excuses. She even wrote a letter saying she would not go.
That evening a heavy sadness came over her, and she could not understand why. She knelt down and said, “Lord, I will not sleep until I know what is wrong with me.”
And gently, God showed her the truth. It was as if a voice said, “You go about telling other people to trust the Lord in the dark. But you are telling them to do what you will not do yourself. You are afraid to trust Me and cross the ocean.”
Amanda felt ashamed. “Lord, that is the truth,” she said. “Forgive me, and give me another chance, and I will go.” And she did — she sailed all the way across the sea to England, and God went with her the whole way.
It is easy to tell others to be brave. It is harder to be brave yourself! When God asks you to trust Him with something scary, remember that He goes right through the deep water with you.
Dear God, when I am afraid of something big, help me to trust You for myself. Thank You that You are always right beside me. Amen.
Talk about it together
Ask the questions first — then tap one for a note for grown-ups.
When Amanda’s friends said God wanted her to go to England, what was her secret fear?
She was afraid of the deep, wide sea. She kept making excuses and even wrote a letter saying she would not go.
What did God gently show Amanda when she knelt to pray that night?
That she told other people to trust the Lord in the dark but would not do it herself — she was afraid to trust Him and cross the ocean.
Have you ever told someone else to be brave about something that scares you, too? What could help you be brave?
The chapter’s point: it is easier to tell others to be brave than to be brave yourself. When God asks you to trust Him with something scary, He goes through the deep water with you.
Chapter 9 complete
Afraid of the Deep Water