Father Never Leaves Me

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From Fear to Faith: Lessons From My Near-Death Experiences

Fear is something we all face. For me, fear became very real in the water. As a child and teenager, I nearly drowned three separate times — once in a flooded pond in my hometown, once in a rushing river in a foreign land, and once in a lake in a third-world country.

Each time, I was convinced I would not come back up. Each time, the water was stronger than me. And each time, fear gripped my heart. But God’s hand was stronger than the water, stronger than the fear, and stronger than anything that tried to take my life.

Those near-death experiences taught me powerful lessons about fear — and even more about faith.

Fear Shows Our Limits

In the water, I realized quickly that I wasn’t strong enough to save myself. Fear reminded me that I was fragile, human, and limited. On my own, I was powerless.

Faith Reminds Us of God’s Power

But faith tells a different story. Faith says:

• Where I am weak, He is strong.
• Where I sink, He lifts me up.
• Where fear says, “This is the end,” faith whispers, “God is not done with you yet.”

Faith doesn’t erase fear instantly — but it anchors us in the truth that God’s presence is greater than what surrounds us.

Fear Tries to Paralyze Us

Even after those near-drowning moments, I carried fear with me. Fear of what could happen again. Fear of loss. Fear of tomorrow.

That’s what fear does — it tries to freeze us, keep us from living fully. But God doesn’t want us bound by fear.

 

Faith Moves Us Forward

Faith gives us courage to step into tomorrow with hope. Faith teaches us to trust God even when the waters are deep or the fire is hot. Faith reminds us that we don’t walk alone.

When I look back, I see that each rescue — each moment when I should have died but lived — was God inviting me to trade fear for faith.

A Scripture That Anchored Me

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

This verse reminds me daily that fear does not come from God. What He gives us is faith, courage, and peace.

Encouragement for You

You may not have faced drowning in water, but maybe you know what it feels like to be drowning in anxiety, stress, or grief. Fear may be whispering that you won’t make it.

But here’s the truth: the same Father who pulled me out of the waters will pull you out of whatever you’re facing. Fear does not have the final say — faith does.

Final Word

My near-death experiences didn’t just remind me of how fragile life is — they showed me how faithful God is. Fear tried to consume me, but faith carried me.

That’s why I wrote Father Never Leaves Me — to show that no matter how strong the waters or the fears may be, God’s presence is stronger still.

👉 [Read the Full Testimony in Father Never Leaves Me]