Isn’t this a beautiful view? Yes, and the edge absolutely terrifies me. I don’t love high places, especially since I’ve spent most of my life living on flat Louisiana farmland. Yet my job requires frequent flying, and my office sits on the 51st floor of one of Chicago’s tallest buildings. Looking over the edge, a strange sensation travels from my feet upward. “Don’t look down” doesn’t silence it. I enjoy the views, and a bit of anxiety slips in. Telling myself it is all in my head helps, but it happens every time I approach the edge. I analyze: How thick are the walls? What’s the probability the elevator could fail? Could the window break? I could overthink it to death. Instead, I ride the elevator, clear my mind, and trust. I step near the window, admire the city’s beauty, and, on the plane, I choose to trust I will arrive safely.
Fright is quick and reflexive; fear is a broader, ongoing sense of danger; worry is thinking about possible outcomes. Fright benefits from grounding and controlled breathing; fear benefits from risk assessment, safety planning, and gradual exposure; worry benefits from cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, and mindfulness to reduce rumination. Each response is real and can be debilitating in the moment. The key is to know which one you’re feeling and seek help when needed.
We all experience fear and worry. Each life event triggers a response, shaped by our minds and coping strategies. Often our deepest fears relate to loss—of a job, a loved one, our home, or even ourselves. The reminder is simple: live in the now. Plan, mitigate risk, and take logical steps toward a secure future. We can’t control when life ends, but we can choose how we live today. Don’t let “what if” imprison you. Focus on today and move forward with intention.
I believe God has a plan for me. I’m acutely aware that I have an expiration date and strive to live today as if it were my last. I hand my worries to God and keep moving. I don’t always get it right, but He wakefully grants me another chance. When I’m given that chance, I use it to grow and to help others. Change begins with me, and I don’t want my life to end with regrets.
I’ve heard we die twice: once physically, and once when our name is spoken for the last time. Who will say my name with meaning, and what will they remember—my fear of heights or the countless things I could have done?
Do we spend too much time worrying? Yes. Do we focus too often on the wrong things? Yes. Does fear get more attention than it deserves? Yes. God’s plan invites us to trust, release our worries, and stay faithful. When I focused my thoughts in this direction, I began to glimpse His plan for my life. I realized I have work to do—for Him and for myself—and that each day is a blessing. With the right focus, perhaps when my name is spoken for the last time, people will remember not the fear or worry I faced, or the trivial things that occupied my time and head space, but the life I lived with purpose. A life well lived, and for the right reasons is a life worth repeating.
Stand strong on the edge. Trust and have faith over fear. And as always, have a great day on purpose.
Biblical references: Hebrews 11:1; Isaiah 41:10; James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 56:3; Romans 8:28; Joshua 1:9
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