"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
After starting to ride at an unusually young age and living a childhood of horseback riding, I suddenly quit after my horse Jackson was sold in eighth (?) grade. I rarely rode through my first few high school years, only here and there. I rode only one time my entire junior year and I was absolutely terrified. I let my newfound anxiety and fear take over and all I could think the entire time was "get me off this horse before something goes wrong." I never thought I, the crazy horse girl, would see the day that I was afraid to be on a horse. I started riding again this year because I missed it and wanted to get back into a sport that once consumed my entire life. I also saw it as an outlet to help me cope with my stress, fear, and anxiety. It took a lot of courage to do something I hadn't done in about five years again for the first time. It was embarrassing having to ask "is my saddle far enough up?" and "curry comb first, right?" especially because embarrassment is one of my biggest fears. It took a lot of strength for me to do those things, especially in front of girls who are serious equestrians. Plus, I'd say being on top of a 2,000 lb, unpredictable animal with a mind of it's own is scary enough. Despite all of my fears and anxiety, I have overcome and I am having the absolute time of my life with it. I love the verse above because it's a great reminder that NO MATTER what you do and no matter how dangerous or scary it might be, God is always going to be there right beside us. He's always there looking out for us and although He might let us stumble, He's never going to let us fall. I love this verse because it encourages me to get out of my comfort zone, something that I have a hard time doing. This verse can be applied to almost any situation and it's one of my favorites to turn to in time of contemplation.
xoxo, Em
After starting to ride at an unusually young age and living a childhood of horseback riding, I suddenly quit after my horse Jackson was sold in eighth (?) grade. I rarely rode through my first few high school years, only here and there. I rode only one time my entire junior year and I was absolutely terrified. I let my newfound anxiety and fear take over and all I could think the entire time was "get me off this horse before something goes wrong." I never thought I, the crazy horse girl, would see the day that I was afraid to be on a horse. I started riding again this year because I missed it and wanted to get back into a sport that once consumed my entire life. I also saw it as an outlet to help me cope with my stress, fear, and anxiety. It took a lot of courage to do something I hadn't done in about five years again for the first time. It was embarrassing having to ask "is my saddle far enough up?" and "curry comb first, right?" especially because embarrassment is one of my biggest fears. It took a lot of strength for me to do those things, especially in front of girls who are serious equestrians. Plus, I'd say being on top of a 2,000 lb, unpredictable animal with a mind of it's own is scary enough. Despite all of my fears and anxiety, I have overcome and I am having the absolute time of my life with it. I love the verse above because it's a great reminder that NO MATTER what you do and no matter how dangerous or scary it might be, God is always going to be there right beside us. He's always there looking out for us and although He might let us stumble, He's never going to let us fall. I love this verse because it encourages me to get out of my comfort zone, something that I have a hard time doing. This verse can be applied to almost any situation and it's one of my favorites to turn to in time of contemplation.
xoxo, Em