Facing Our Fears
Dear Friend,
Josiah has never liked the dentist or anyone else in his mouth. He has always said it was uncomfortable and has always exhibited high amounts of anxiety. Well let me state this clearly, the dental hygienist has walked him out the back before and said, "I am not dealing with this today, he's too anxious!" 😦.
One time we went in for our regular cleanings. Josiah, had three baby teeth that hadn't fell out (but the adult teeth had come in) and were stacked on top of the baby teeth. I assured him he was only going in for a cleaning and that they may make some suggestions. The dental assistant came and said, "While cleaning his teeth, one of his baby teeth came out!" (which is funny because last night he prayed for a miracle) but she said, "The dentist needs to take his other two teeth out, she said they are loose, it won't take long, but he told the dentist no, so I came to talk to you." As I was signing the papers for them to take the teeth out, he walked out the back with big eyes, and went to use the bathroom. As he came back I informed him that he would have to get those teeth pulled, He had tears in his eyes and said, "Mom, please no, let's just see if they will come out as well!" We had already negotiated this deal 6 months ago, so I decided it was time for an intervention. Mind you, he was still anxious and upset.
A few minutes later he came out the back with the other two teeth pulled and a mouth full of gauze. The assistant said, "He probably feels silly, because it wasn't bad at all!" He looked at me and shook his head Yes, he did feel silly. A little later in the car, he was saying I did good, I prayed. I was still afraid but I prayed and I calmed by body down. I only tensed up once, but I stayed still so they could finish. celebrated this moment, he faced his fear.
What I learned is facing a fear, doesn't mean we don't do it without trembling or anxiety, facing fears mean that with the anxiety and with the fear we keep on moving "anyhow". That's called being courageous. 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Overcomer,
LMJ
