For God has not given us a spirit of fear but He has given us a spirit of POWER, and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND 2 Timothy 1:7

Last week my youngest son and I went to his routine dentist appointment… it turned out this appt would be nothing short of routine. My son was excited and eager for the dentist… well maybe because he was checked out of school early, every kid loves that! As we entered and found the nearest elevator, we opted to wait for the next rotation since the elevator was already full. My son loving to push the buttons proceeded in and I double-checked the floor number. Up we went…. or so we wondered…. thought….. and soon discovered we were in fact not moving at all. The elevator did not have the feeling you get as air under your feet when it begins to move. As we looked to see if the floor numbers were actually moving upwards, we noticed what look to be an error sign and a stagnant number. We were in fact not moving…. we were stuck.

Fear is SO tangible and also VERY contagious! Once I realized we were surely not moving, I felt the fear. I felt the tenseness in my body….. those nerves. I also observed in my son’s eyes and his own body language he was nervous without saying a word. Though I was battling my own nervous sensations, I quickly redirected my attention to my son, affirming him and truthfully myself to be patient, remain calm, and wait.

You have given me the ability to stay calm in the midst of adversity

Psalm 94:14 aMp

What felt like minutes waiting, was likely only seconds, but it became clear we were not moving. I started pushing some buttons to see if activating another floor may cause some movement. Nothing. I could see my son was beginning to become more nervous, moving his legs and feet up and down, you know the “antsy dancy” kind. I could feel his fear (and indeed I was battling my own). The fear was coming upon me strong, yet I forged on feeling the sensations and refusing to “go there.” You know, the thoughts of what if we get stuck? How are we going to get out? The typical doomsday scenarios inviting you into fear. Again we waited to see if possible movement would come. Nothing. So, for the first time in my years of riding an elevator, we got the pleasure of pushing the emergency elevator button (the one I’m always making sure little hands do not accidentally push). If you have not had this pleasure, it sounds like a loud speakerphone magnified in a small elevator space, literally like the walls are talking to you. I was thankful though, the operator faithfully answered and as I began to explain the situation, the elevator suddenly began moving. “Oh we are moving, thanks anyway,” I told the operator. The door opened and we bolted out like a rocket. We suddenly realized we were not even on the correct floor. We headed for the staircase for the last few floors up. We did not even consider getting back on that elevator. Oh, the relief! We made it!

So that’s it, right?!? The end. We lived happily ever after. Relieved we made it through and off the elevator never to return. Yet after our appointment, the elevator still remains for our descend. I think we both forgot about that part but we were soon reminded. As we approached the elevator area, my son quickly bypassed and headed immediately toward the stairwell door. As my son fled to the stairwell, I remained in front of the elevator. I had my own fear to face. I mean I was scared too. Getting stuck in an elevator will make you sweat a little, yet I knew we must FACE the fear to truly overcome. I snuck over to the staircase door window to look through, making sure my son was safe and not completely out of sight. I was hoping he would eventually turn around once he knew I was not behind him. Suddenly, I saw him beginning to turn around. I thought, “Yes, he is coming back.” Quickly I went back to my steady position in front of the elevator like I had never moved. He opened the door, frantic. Mom, I’m not doing it. Son, we must. Mom, why? I know. I don’t want to do it either but we must. Mooooommmmm. If we don’t, we will be scared for the rest of our lives, and eventually, we may never ride an elevator again. Let’s do it afraid, together. I was so proud of my son at this moment. His mind was already down that staircase yet he fought hard to remain with me. I observed the struggle. Back and forth he ran with his feet and in his mind battling as the fear was attempting to grip, control, and paralyze him. I simply remained. I proceeded to push the button. My son screaming nooooooooooooooooo. It’s ok. I took him by his hand and together we walked in. I felt the fear. I felt his fear. I felt our fears together. We pushed the button and the door proceeded to close. It felt as if I was holding my breath. I could see my son’s expressions too. It was quite divine this moment, the elevator walls were of a mirror reflection so we could actually see ourselves looking back at us as we stood in the face of fear. What a powerful moment! The elevator began to move without another eventful ride, we made it! I was so proud of him. I was proud of myself. We did it afraid, together.

Ashley Shuell, Journalist for Jesus

I must mention here the staying power of our Lord Jesus. He Who faithfully remains with us and carries us through. The One Who never leaves our side, always with us, cheering us on, believing the best, and speaking life. The One Who gave me the power to STAND and directly face my own fears at this moment. The One Who gives me COURAGE and COMFORT to know I CAN through Christ. The One Who passed on the torch to me to light the way for my son. The One Who truly stood in front of the elevator, calm and waiting as the little girl in me ran away with my son. The One Who waited patiently for our return. No condemnation. No judgment. Simply an open hand, an invitation to join him in facing fear and discovering who I am, who you are when fear loses its power over you and you embrace you…. free. We did it afraid, together with Jesus.

Want to hear this I love to tell the story? check out my podcast: https://ashleyshuell.podbean.com/e/i-love-to-tell-the-story-do-it-afraid-together/

Update: March 15, 2021….

Back at that same elevator with my oldest the following week, riding it once again for the pure pleasure and joy of remembering the testimony!