I have a beautiful white kitty with gorgeous blue eyes. His name is Sir Edmond and he has a problem being nervous.

Anytime a new person visits the house, he puts back his ears and scurries toward my bedroom like his life is in danger.

He often misses fun times with us because an unusual noise sends him running.

Last winter, a tree limb fell on our house in the middle of a huge snow storm, and we had no heat for five days. The indoor temperature stayed close to freezing, but my husband and I kept a fire in the fireplace. We huddled there all day, even eating nearby.

We brought my son’s cockatiel into the living-room area and put him on a high stereo stand so the cat couldn’t bother him. But we didn’t have to worry. Kitty stayed under my bed the entire time shivering with cold. He was too terrified to venture out to the fire where the family had gathered.

Sometimes I can be a little like Sir Edmond.

Instead of stepping out in faith, I hover in my safe place because I am afraid. I love the verse in 2 Timothy that says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (1:7).

I invite you to join me in choosing to trust in God’s power and step out courageously trusting God.

Cynthia L. Simmons

Pursuing Gold by Cynthia L. Simmons

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband reside in Atlanta. A Bible teacher and former home-school mother, she writes a column for Leading Hearts Magazine. She served as past president of Christian Authors Guild, directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference, and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio. Her author website is www.clsimmons.com.