My alarm went off at 3:15am, the buzzing in my ear of adventure. I’m going to do it! Today I will face yet another fear… Sharks.
Growing up with an older brother, I feel like my fears were always amplified. If I was afraid of the dark, he’d be hiding somewhere in it to scare me. If I was afraid to jump off the dock on family vacation – he would first talk up the monsters in the water, make me jump, and then sneak in after me to grab my ankle. The statement “boys will be boys” is my brother, and the statements above don’t even begin to describe my childhood.
I have many fears, some may be because I have a brother. Others, probably just because I’m naturally more timid. I’m not proud of my fears, but I really don’t want to be limited by them. I love adventure, I love adrenaline, and I love doing what not everyone will do.
Bungee jumping was one of those fears: Heights… Today, cage-less swimming with sharks, a chance to face more fears: sharks, deep water, dark water, and of course getting eaten or having my limbs ripped off by an animal (biggest fear of mine – although it is typically heightened in Colorado and more towards mountain lions and bears – sharks still fit into the category).
A group of 14 of us Y-Squad adrenaline Junkees loaded up in the van at 4:15am. We drove to Blue Wilderness, where we suited up. I have never put on a wet suit before – but I loved it! Not only did I feel like I belonged in a mission impossible film, they also float (some of you may know this – but with me being from a landlocked state, it completely amazed me when I found out!).
I raised my hand to be in the first group that launched. Andrea, Stefany, Lindsay, Nicole Blattler, and I all headed down to the beach.
We pushed the boat out into the ocean, and then jumped on. We strapped our feet into the foot straps, and held onto the rope. Time to ride.
After twenty minutes of shark searching, and a beautiful boat ride on my part, we stopped. Well, this is it!
The boaters dropped in some bate, and started driving circles around it. I guess the noise of the boat helps the sharks know it is feeding time (for those of you who are going to do this in the future – I recommend going with a company that doesn’t chum the water, but eh you live and you learn).
After the sharks started appearing, the guides pointed them out. One shark, two, three. My heart started pounding a little faster. This is happening. Multiple black tip sharks started surrounding the area, they just kept coming.
Alright, I am literally going to go swimming with sharks… Plural… Did I mention we opted for going in without the cage? Go big or go home right?
We put on our snorkel masks and our flippers. The guide jumped in. Ready?
One after another people started disappearing off of the boat. Andrea and Stefany were the first from my group to enter the water. Then Lindsay. Then me, here I go! Nicole Blattler shortly after me.
The first 30seconds in the water were the worst part! I slide off the side of the boat, hit the water, and I can’t breathe! How does this face mask work anyway? You want me to breathe through a little tube? There is salt water up my nose.
The guide looks at me, obviously doing this a million times already. “You alright?” he asked.
Taking Lindsay’s tip, I start breathing slowly… “Yes,” I respond. I fixed my mask, steadied my breathing, and he led me over to a floating pole. They told us we could hold onto it and look at the sharks; once we were comfortable we could let go and swim around. As long as we didn’t use our hands since those look like sardines to the sharks (good thing my wetsuit floats!).
Shortly after being in the water, probably 45seconds, I saw my first shark. Thankfully I was holding the guide’s hand as he was leading me over to the pole! My heart stopped. She swam 2feet in front of me.
Okay, I told myself. This isn’t that bad. The shark didn’t even try to eat me!
Holding onto the pole, I started to feel peaceful. Rhythmic breathing. Slow movement. This is nice.
“You can let go if you feel comfortable!” I barely heard the guide yell. All I could hear was the sound of my breathing and the water.
I let go.
Floating in the water, feeling utterly alone (a face mask only lets you see so much), except I had this huge sense of peace over me. I did tell God this was another date, and He was definitely there! That’s the only reason I was able to remain so calm the entire time I was in the water. Who knew facing fears could be so easy? I should have held God’s hand while facing my fears years ago!
The sharks were, beautiful. They would swim so near to you. I had multiple sharks go right underneath me, their fin almost grazing my chin.
When you are in the water, awareness is everything. I’d look to the right, and if my gaze remained there for too long when I looked back to the left I’d see a shark a little too close for comfort.
The power. The majesty. The sneakiness!
After our allotted time was over, we all started climbing back into the boat. As soon as I was back on the floating vessel I realized just how much bobbing my body had been doing while floating in the water. I don’t feel so good, I thought. Before I knew it, sea sickness came over me. The words “should I puke in the boat or in the water?” left my mouth shortly before the vomit that followed them.
Lindsay patted my back and let me know that sharks were attracted to vomit. I made sure not to put any limbs in the water, while I continued to vomit at least five times over the edge of the boat.
At least I kept this down until I was out of the water!
Even though I didn’t make it out of this adventure completely unscathed (I can’t believe I just told y’all a vomit story). I did come out learning a valuable lesson: fears are so much bigger in your head than in reality.
I’ve been terrified of sharks ever since I can remember. As a child whenever I was near water I thought about sharks (even if it was my local swimming pool). As an adult, I’d never go out far in the ocean due to the irrational fear that a shark would just be waiting for me to venture a little too far out before it nabbed me!
These fears were irrational, and limiting. These fears also expanded from all the attention I gave them!
Swimming with sharks, was… Surprisingly easy. I honestly only had my heart stop a few times, and it was an amazing date! Swimming with God’s “terrifying” creation was one of the most peaceful experiences I’ve had on the race thus far.
I know this may sound crazy. I know that I’ve already told you to jump off a bridge… If I tell you to go jump into an ocean full of sharks – I may lose my credibility completely… BUT LISTEN when I tell you how completely freeing it is to face your fears!
Yes it is scary. Yes it can potentially be dangerous. BUT the freedom that comes afterwards. The peace. That is priceless.
I am so grateful I jumped off a bridge! That experience brought me more confidence than I think anything could. I am also so thankful I swam with sharks! This experience has ironically brought me an incredible since of peace and of power.
By facing my fears, I am replacing the lies in my head with truths the Father has spoken over me.
2 Timothy 1:7 “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of POWER, love, and self-control”
Yes I WAS afraid of sharks – but who created them? Do I not have the POWER of the Creator running through my veins? Who do those sharks think they are trying to hold a spirit of fear over me?! That is the real question.
I encourage you to face one of your fears this week, with the Lord. Watch how marvelously the Lord shows up when you put your trust in Him. Watch how quickly the fear you had loses all control in your life. Especially when you replace it with a truth from God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Part of the Father straightening your paths – is His desire to release you from fear. How powerful could His followers be if they weren’t so scared all the time! TRUST in Him, and He will bring you freedom.
Why do you think “do not fear” is THE most spoken commandment in the Bible? The enemy wants to use fear to control you. God wants you to have freedom, peace, confidence, and power!
Be bold. Be free. Be courageous. YOU are strong, you are powerful, and you are freed from whatever fear is holding you back from fulfilling your destiny! Amen!
Joshua 1:9 “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.”
