Principal's Ponderings

Give Fear A Go

Recently I learnt a valuable lesson of overcoming fear and embracing new opportunities, a theme that resonates deeply with our Christian faith.

When I was in university, I was surrounded by friends who loved surfing. They would spend hours riding the waves while I stayed close to shore or braved a few waves with my bodyboard. I remember many times, before lectures, we would drive down to the waves and spend hours at the beach and quickly get back for morning classes! However, I was afraid to try surfing because I feared I would never be able to stand up on the board. That fear kept me from even attempting to learn and I settled for what felt safer and more comfortable.

Recently, however, I was encouraged to join a surfing lesson with a friend. With good teaching and a trainer guiding me, I gave it a try. To my surprise and delight, I stood up on the board and surfed (actually I caught a few good waves)! This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: with the right support and a willingness to humble myself, I could overcome my fear and achieve something I never thought possible.

This brings to mind a powerful scripture from Isaiah 41:10: 'Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' God's assurance is a reminder that we are never alone in our endeavours. His presence and guidance are constant, empowering us to face our fears and try new things.

Joyce Meyer once said, 'Courage is not the absence of fear; it is pressing forward despite the fear.' Our fears can often paralyse us, keeping us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. But when we trust in Him and step out in faith, we open ourselves to growth, learning and new blessings.

(Yeah, this is not me surfing!)

In our school community at DCS, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to explore their potential. Whether it is a student attempting a challenging subject, a teacher implementing a new teaching method or a parent getting involved in a new school initiative, we all have opportunities to overcome our fears and grow.

I encourage each of you to reflect on what you might be holding back from trying, due to fear of failure. What is something new you can try today? Is there a skill you want to develop, a hobby you wish to pursue or a role you feel called to take on? Remember, it is never too late to try something new and to humble ourselves to learn and grow.

Let us draw inspiration from Philippians 4:13 as we walk with Jesus guiding us, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' With faith, courage and the support of our community, we can overcome our fears and achieve great things, especially if it is glorifying and bringing honour to Jesus.

May God's grace and peace be with you all as you step out in faith and embrace the new opportunities before you.

Chad Smit | Principal