Sometimes, life presents us with challenges that stretch us beyond what we think we’re capable of. It’s good to stretch our physical and mental muscles, to push ourselves against our self-imposed boundaries to see how we unconsciously limit our own capabilities. It’s not always fun, and sometimes it’s scary, but the rewards are often amazing.
This past September provided plenty of opportunity to push myself a little. Our church provided time and money for a 5-week personal sabbatical – a time of restoration and learning. What a gift it was, and I am so grateful. August also happened to be Jaime’s and my 30th wedding anniversary – go Us! So, we decided to take some time during my sabbatical to take an anniversary trip to celebrate. However, even after thirty years of marriage, there are still some navigating through our different definitions of a “fun and relaxing vacation.”
Jaime’s idea of the perfect trip is to leap mountains in a single bound and push himself physically to the limits – like speeding down a mountain at 45 mph on an Ebike (yes, he actually did this while I followed along at a far slower and more sensible pace). We love the mountains, and our family takes plenty of vacations to hike up in the middle of nowhere. If you ask me to choose “Beach or Mountains” – it’s mountains every time. The trees and nature rest my spirit and leave me in awe of God’s amazing creation.
However, my version of a fun hike and Jaime’s version of fun hike do not always match up.
So, during this time of personal restoration and growth, I found myself standing at the base of Angels Landing in Zion National Park—one of the more intimidating hikes in the United States. At times there are chains hooked in rock faces to hold on to because the path is narrow and the drop off is extreme. The towering cliffs, narrow pathways and dizzying heights had me questioning whether I could make it to the top.
I was very nervous walking up to the more difficult part of the climb and questioned Jaime several times about whether he ought to go up the final ascent without me, but he would simply shake his head and wait. Jaime had more faith in my ability than I did. And, as we made our way up to the top, taking one step at a time, my confidence grew, and I knew I could do it.
Fear is a natural response to stepping into the unknown. It’s a signal that we’re approaching the edge of our comfort zone, and often, it’s easier to step back. I felt that fear during the hike. But with each step forward, I discovered something valuable - my limits were not as fixed as I thought.
The key, for me, was not erasing fear but instead walking through it. Taking on something new—whether it’s a hike, a career change, or a personal challenge—often means confronting the stories we’ve told ourselves about what we can or cannot do. Angels Landing forced me to test those limits, reminding me that fear can be a valuable teacher if we let it.
I didn’t walk up the trail alone. Jaime was with me the whole way. But also, as we climbed, there were strangers ahead of me, strangers behind me, all offering encouragement and support to others around them. We stopped and talked to one couple as they were coming off the harder part of the climb while we were starting up. Their situation was the same as ours - wife is afraid of heights and her husband is not. Their encouragement that I could finish the hike was incredibly helpful and boosted my spirits more than Jaime’s belief in my capabilities. Jaime finds this kind of adventure easy, so his positive view of my ability did not make me feel better. I needed to hear from someone who found the climb scary and difficult but did it anyway. Jaime took my change in attitude in stride and offered to “pay them later.” Sorry, babe!
1 Thessalonians 5:11; “Therefore encourage on another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
This couple’s presence reminded me that community makes facing our fears easier. We don’t have to go at it alone, and we are not meant to. We are meant to help one another climb those intimidating cliffs in life, both literal and metaphorical.
I also learned that fear isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s easy to look around and think that others are more courageous or stronger, but the truth is, we all carry our own fears. A little humility goes a long way. It’s okay to admit when we’re scared because in doing so, we create space for others to share their own challenges. And when we walk through fear together, kindness and compassion become the safety net that catches us when we stumble.
At the end of the day, testing our limits isn’t about conquering every challenge perfectly. It’s about being willing to try, even when we’re not sure what the outcome will be. Reaching the top of Angels Landing didn’t just give me a breathtaking view—it gave me a renewed perspective on what’s possible when we push through fear with humility, community, and courage.
So, whatever “Angels Landing” looks like for you, know that fear isn’t the enemy—it’s part of the journey. Keep taking those steps forward. God has so much to teach us along the way, and you might just surprise yourself with what is possible.
2 Timothy 1:7; “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Galatians 6:2; “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
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