Do It Anyway

Disney World isn’t just my favorite place on Earth—it’s where even the simplest moments can teach profound lessons. On a recent trip with my husband, we found ourselves in line for the Tower of Terror, a ride famous for its unpredictable drops and eerie atmosphere. With its abandoned hotel theme and spooky storyline, the ride thrives on fear of the unknown. Each rise and free fall feels sudden and out of control—a perfect metaphor for facing life’s uncertainties.

While we waited, the family behind us caught our attention. A mom, dad, and two kids—both excited but clearly nervous—were having an animated discussion. The younger boy, maybe seven years old, gripped his dad’s hand tightly and looked at us with wide eyes. Finally, he mustered the courage to ask, “Is it really scary?”

Jason and I exchanged a quick glance, understanding the weight of the moment. His parents clearly wanted to ride, but they also wanted their kids to make their own choice. We wanted to be honest without scaring them off. Jason leaned down and said with a reassuring smile, “It’s definitely spooky, and the drops might make your tummy flip, but it’s over quickly. You’ll feel so proud once it’s done.”

I bent down and added, “You know, it’s okay to feel scared. I get nervous every time I ride, but I always love it in the end.”

The boy paused, his little face thoughtful. Then, he turned to his parents and said something that struck me deeply: “I’m scared…but I’m going to do it anyway.”

It was the purest display of courage—acknowledging fear without letting it win. That moment reminded me of the words God spoke to Joshua:

“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).

God doesn’t command us to feel fearless but to act boldly, trusting that He is with us every step of the way. Courage isn’t about waiting for the fear to disappear; it’s about moving forward despite it.

As we continued chatting with the family, the boy asked more questions, trying to prepare himself for what was coming. His parents smiled encouragingly, and his older sister joined in, saying she was nervous too. The excitement grew as we reassured them that bravery wasn’t about not being scared—it was about stepping forward in spite of it.

When it was finally time to board, we waved them off, cheering them on as they took their seats. Jason and I decided to wait by the exit to see how they liked it. As the doors opened and the family stepped out, their smiles said it all. The little boy ran out first straight toward us, grinning ear to ear. “That was AWESOME!” he shouted, followed closely by his sister, who declared it her new favorite ride.

We greeted them with rounds of high fives, celebrating their bravery. “See? You did it!” I said. The boy nodded proudly and said, “It was scary awesome!”

It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, life is less about the challenges we face and more about our willingness to face them. Whether it’s a thrilling ride or a real-life leap of faith, the courage to move forward despite fear is what defines true bravery.

That little boy thought he was just conquering a theme park ride, but he was teaching us all a lesson in courage and faith. Life often feels like an unpredictable freefall, but we can face it with the kind of faith that says, “Yes, I’m scared—but I’m going to do it anyway.” Sometimes, the sweetest victories come when we trust God, step forward, and hold on for the ride.