Fear has a way of holding us back, keeping us in a place of comfort and safety. But there comes a time when we have to decide whether we want to let fear dictate our lives or face it head-on. When I joined the Navy, I knew I was stepping into a world that would challenge me in ways I had never imagined. But nothing scared me more than the prospect of swimming. I joined the Navy without knowing how to swim—something I did mention to my recruiter when I enlisted. He reassured me that everyone would learn in boot camp, but his words did little to calm the fear that had taken root in me. My fear of drowning was very real, stemming from past childhood experiences at the beach where I had nearly drowned more than once. Whenever I couldn’t touch the bottom of the pool or feel the sand beneath my feet at the beach, fear would take over, wrapping itself around me like a vise. It felt as if my fear was dictating my life, and I was tired of it.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt wisely noted, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and that day in the pool, I realized just how true that was. I decided that this was my moment to confront that fear.
When the week of swim training arrived during boot camp, my heart was pounding with dread. I put on my swimsuit, went to the pool area, and watched as other recruits confidently jumped into the water and swam. The air was thick with the sound of splashing water and the shouts of encouragement from our company commander. The smell of chlorine was sharp in my nose as I stood on the edge, my heart racing.
Our company commander gave us detailed instructions on what to do once we hit the water: jump off the diving board, hit the bottom of the pool, push ourselves up to the surface, and float on our backs. We also had to learn how to tread water—moving our legs like scissors while our arms moved in and out near our chest.
The thought of it all was terrifying. I remember standing on that diving board, looking down into the deep water, and feeling a wave of panic threaten to overwhelm me. The pool seemed to stretch endlessly beneath me, a vast, unforgiving expanse. But I reminded myself of the instructions, took a deep breath, and made the jump. When I hit the bottom of the pool, it took every ounce of willpower not to panic. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) echoed in my mind, grounding me in the moment. The water surrounded me, pressing in on all sides, but I focused on what my company commander had told us. I propelled myself to the surface, flapped my arms as instructed, and floated on my back.
The moment I successfully swam to the surface after hitting the bottom of the pool, I felt empowered and confident that I could do anything when I set my mind to it. Focusing on the task at hand helped me take my mind off the fear I had. I think that’s probably why I was successful in learning how to swim. I was overjoyed that I had overcome my fear. It was a small victory, but it meant the world to me.
From that moment on, I felt a shift within myself. I was no longer afraid to venture into the deep end of the pool because I knew I had the skills to survive. The Navy and my company commander had not just taught me how to swim—they had shown me how to overcome my deepest fear.
Years later, I found myself swimming in the open waters of the Great Barrier Reef on vacation, something I would have never dared to do before. It was nerve-wracking, but I did it. I was able to enjoy the beauty of the reef, snorkeling in open water, all because I had conquered that fear back in boot camp. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) was my mantra, reminding me that I was capable of more than I ever imagined.
Looking back, I realize that if I had given in to fear, I would have missed out on so many opportunities. One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience is the importance of staying calm. Panic is what truly drowns people—not the water itself. “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) reminds me that when fear threatens to take over, I have the strength within me to stay calm and rise above it.
Whether it’s the fear of failing at a new job, speaking in public, or making a major life change, we all have our “deep end” moments. And just like in that pool, facing our fears head-on is often the only way to overcome them.
Soul Insights
1. Fear is often our greatest obstacle, but it can also be our greatest teacher.
Fear can be paralyzing, but once we face it head-on, we often find that it was not as insurmountable as we thought. The process of overcoming fear teaches us resilience and courage.
2. Preparation and instruction are powerful tools in overcoming fear.
Just as my company commander’s instructions gave me the tools to overcome my fear of swimming, we can overcome many fears by preparing ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin
3. Calmness in the face of fear can save you.
In the midst of chaos, staying calm allows us to think clearly and take the necessary steps to move forward. Panic leads to rash decisions, while calmness provides clarity.
4. Embrace the small victories; they build confidence.
Every small victory over fear builds our confidence, enabling us to tackle bigger challenges in the future. These small successes remind us of our strength and potential. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
5. Don’t let fear dictate your choices; let faith guide you instead.
When we allow faith to guide our decisions, we make choices based on what’s possible, not on what we’re afraid might happen. This mindset opens up a world of opportunities.
Final Thoughts
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
We all have fears—some that we’ve carried for years, others that we’ve recently discovered. But fear doesn’t have to control our lives. Identify one fear that’s been holding you back and take a step towards overcoming it. It might be a small step, like learning something new, or a big leap, like confronting a long-held anxiety.
Take that step today. You’ll find that on the other side of fear is not just relief, but a newfound strength and confidence that will carry you through life’s challenges. Don’t let fear dictate your life—let it be the catalyst for your greatest growth. And once you’ve taken that step, share your story with others. Your journey could be the inspiration someone else needs to conquer their own fears. Be strong and be courageous!
© 2024 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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