Fear can be crippling, paralyzing, and debilitating. Yet, it’s something we all have to deal with eventually.

Recently, my family rented a boat while we were visiting the Florida Keys. We had a GPS and set our course for a famed coral reef out in the middle of the ocean.

I know how to drive a boat and do it all the time at the lake, but this was our first time out at sea.

Understandably, our kids were a bit anxious as we started heading out into the middle of the ocean and rolling over some deep water waves.

Yet, I reassured them, we were heading in the right direction and that it would be worth it once we got to our destination. Turning around and heading back closer to shore would be regretted if we gave into our fear.

Ultimately, we saw a parade of boats tied to buoys that surrounded the reef and the waters were now crystal clear, ice blue and full of colorful fish and coral.

We put our snorkel gear on, jumped in the water, and began exploring. We saw small reef sharks, huge grouper, incredibly decorated fish, stingrays, and much more.

As we got back on the boat to head home after a long day of exploration my son shared with me that he thought this was the best trip we had ever taken.

I think life is much like our recent boat ride. It can be scary at times and uncertain, but with God as our Navigation, our course is secure, and as we continue to walk in faith, looking to Him, He takes us on boundless adventures and to places filled with beauty, excitement, and lessons learned.

And in the end, like my son, we too can admit we experience the best trips ever when we steer from fear, and keep walking in faith with God.