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Downhill Victory

2/17/2021

13 Comments

 
I have been fighting fear most of my life. As a teen and into my 20’s, my days were controlled by worry and anxiety. My body and my mind were in this never-ending cycle of fear that robbed me of strength, energy, and hope. In my 30’s, I was able to seek out some help and started the long climb out of the prison of fear--one step at a time. I found courage in God’s word, like in 
Picture
Bonnie Piovesan
2 ​Timothy 1:7, “For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”  There were days when ​I would say this verse out loud each time fear tried to take control so I could find the courage to face the fear and win.

​A few things that still cause me fear are heights, going fast, and going fast on a curve. Nothing combines all of these better than skiing. Where else can you choose to sit on something as wide as a popsicle stick and dangle high in the air as you are taken up a mountain? Then the only way down that mountain is to do a series of movements that make you go fast, using curve maneuvers on two more popsicle sticks. Yet I love snow and being outside and I wanted to try something new that I had a feeling I would really like. So a few weeks ago, at the age of 45, I decided to take a ski lesson during a trip with friends to a ski resort in Montana.
Picture
Bonnie & her Instructor, Ellen
I made it up the mountain on the lift; I was feeling good and excited to try out what I had learned in my lesson. Then I looked over the edge of the slope--and froze. My old enemy fear was there to greet me. Fear tells us terrible things: “You can’t do it”, “You are not good enough”, “You will fail”, “You will always be my prisoner.” In that moment looking over the edge I felt crushed, and I almost fled in terror as panic swept over me. Then gently, God’s word came back to me, “I have not given you a spirit of fear,” and I leaned forward.  Something welled up in me, and I chose to start​
downhill. I started telling myself I could do it as I curved to the left and then the right. I gained speed and leaned into the fear with more determination, and I told myself I was not a prisoner anymore. I was skiing, and I was full of joy!

I made it to the bottom of that mountain, threw my hands up in the air and shouted in triumph! I did not care who heard me, I could care less what I looked like; I had just won a round with my most-hated enemy! All of the battles against fear came to mind and the reminder that never once did I fight one of those battles alone. God had been with me every time. Fear ran away from my mind like the rat that it is, and I started crying and saying, “Thank you, Father!” God had lovingly met me at the top of that mountain. While fear had been saying hateful things to me, God lovingly reminded of His word and gave me courage to win once more.

Fear can be a devastating foe that attacks our mind, body, relationships, and faith. Fear won’t stop at one thing; it wants all that we are. God has given each of us what we need to fight this enemy. He gives us an abundance of scriptures to lean on. He gives us His Spirit so we don’t have to fight alone. He gives all of this out of love, because He loves us as His precious children.
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’.” Romans 8:15
In His Name,
​Bonnie
13 Comments
Carl Wackerman
2/17/2021 02:46:32 pm

Thank you Bonnie for sharing your heart. I also struggled with fear, as well as with anxiety. Today I faced one of my worst fears, a root canal. I had prayed it would go well and it did. An Andrea Boccelli special to watch with special glasses certainly helped, as well as a skilled and calm dentist.

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 09:14:00 am

Thank you Carl, and way to win on that root canal!! Prayer is so powerful.

Reply
carolyn keefer
2/17/2021 03:12:35 pm

What a great story! I believe all of us have "fear" of some sort throughout our lives. Your own words and scripture were wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 09:15:51 am

Thanks Carolyn, you are always so encouraging.

Reply
Karen Huber
2/17/2021 03:24:40 pm

It seems hardest to admit one has "fears"..... but when one feels the pit of one's stomach churn, you know it's real.
I also fear heights, speed in a vehicle and speeding around corners..... I love the verse you found helpful and will use that to calm my own issues as well! Thank you, Bonnie!

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 09:21:35 am

Hi Karen,
I always hate that churning in the pit of the stomach feeling. 2 Timothy 1:7 has been one of my key verses for years. I'm so glad that we can share God's word together.

Reply
Karen Yates
2/17/2021 04:23:17 pm

Dear Bonnie, Tou have done nothing but bring joy to our church. There is no doubt the Lord specifically brought you to 1st Presbyterian 6th & Lakeside. We needed your honesty and revealing testimonies to assure us we are all excepted in His realm of glory. Thank you my friend.

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 09:24:18 am

Thanks Karen, your kind words mean a lot to me. I am grateful to be here at 1st Pres, the people here are a blessing. Reminding each other that God loves us and accepts us is the best part of a church family.

Reply
Bev Turner
2/18/2021 09:56:45 am

Thank you, Bonnie, for the testimony and scriptures. Fear can freeze so many wonderful adventures, and some quite scarey ones, too!!

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 10:23:23 am

Love the way you said fear can freeze adventures. Its so true, fear stops us from so much just like we are frozen in place.

Reply
Woody Hurst link
2/18/2021 05:01:10 pm

Thanks for sharing this message, Bonnie. It is good to know someone has had many of the same fears that have plagued me. Encouraging to know that God's Word really does work!

Reply
Bonnie Piovesan
2/19/2021 10:24:57 am

Thanks Woody,
God's word is so helpful in our day to day lives. Sharing our struggles with one another reminds us we have more in common and we are not alone.

Reply
Linda Scheideler
2/20/2021 06:13:31 am

You go Girl! I love your honesty and how you are so real and vulnerable. You have been such a joy and light to this church and all those whose lives you touch everyday.
So thankful that God has brought you into my life and our church community.

Reply



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  • Home
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    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
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    • Connect >
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      • Flying Solo
  • Sundays
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