Who’s Got Your Back?

By Cherrilynn Bisbano

I froze with fear, overlooking paradise.

While serving at Barbers Point Naval Air Station Hawaii, my best friends Vicky and Steve decided to climb the Stairway to Heaven or Haʻikū Ladder.

“Come with us, Cherrilynn,” Steve said.

“You can climb 3,922 steps. Our fellow Radiomen did it every day during the Second World War,” Vicky said.

We were off duty and wanted a challenge, so we donned our hiking boots and drove to the Haiku Radio station.

Upon arrival, the clerk handed each of us a waiver.

Without hesitation, Vicky and Steve signed it.

“Did you even read this waiver?” I said.

The paper shook as I held it.

“It states that they take no responsibility if we fall and die.”

“We got your back, Cherrilynn. We won’t let anything happen to you,” Steve said.

I signed my waiver. “Let’s go.”

The climb was arduous but the scenery breathtaking.

About two hours into our hike Steve announced, “We’re at the scariest part.”

In front of us was a ladder with a thousand-foot drop on either side.

“Wow, that is scary,” Vicky said.

We inspected at the metal structure for durability.

“I’ll wait here. You two go ahead,” I said.

“You came this far. We won’t go without you.” Steve said as he sipped his water.

“Cherrilynn, I’ve seen you get through scarier things than this.” Vicky put her hand on my shoulder. “Remember when our engine flamed out during a mission?”

I remembered, and the thought didn’t help.

“Why don’t you go first, Cherrilynn, and we’ll follow?” Steve said.

I took a deep breath, placed my hands on the ladder, and climbed five of the ten rungs.

I paused.

“Don’t look down!” Vicky said.

“Too late.”  The trees whirled a thousand feet below me.

“Cherrilynn, are you ok?” Steve’s voice thickened with concern.

“No, my legs won’t move.”

Steve climbed the first two steps.

“Don’t touch me!” I began to cry.

“Cherrilynn, do you trust me?” Steve touched my foot.

“Yes, but I’m scared. What if we fall?”

By the time I finished my sentence, Steve was directly behind me, his hands on the rungs above mine.

“Let’s move together and get you to level ground.”

As we climbed, I gripped the ladder. I feared my friend would fall to his death if I moved too fast.

“I got your back.” Steve kept whispering in my ear.

“You’re almost there,” Vicky said.

Steve stepped onto the plateau and pulled me to safety.

“We made it!” Steve and I threw our hands up in victory.

“Thank you, Steve. You did have my back.”

Difficult and scary times are inevitable, especially for writers. We experience writer’s block, rejection, loneliness, and self-doubt. We fret as we wonder if our manuscript, article, or blog post is well written, and we freeze before we hit the send button. We agonize over social media numbers, less than five-star reviews, and wonder if anyone knows we exist.

Where can we turn for strength, peace, and encouragement?

“… but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NIV

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…” John 15:15 ESV

Jesus! He is the one who gave Peter the courage to walk on water and was there to help when Peter began to sink.  He is the one who healed the blind, gave living water to a promiscuous woman, and his touch resurrected a child from the dead.

The Creator of the universe desires to help us scale any mountain and overcome any fear. He calls us to write and trust him for the outcome. When we fear, worry, or doubt, we don’t live in his promises.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 ESV

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 ESV

We all have times of we lean on our own understanding. Will you join me and claim the promises of God?  Commit the above verses to memory. You can do it.

Then you can confidently answer the question,

Who’s got your back?

When has God given you peace, power, or indescribable joy on your writing journey? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an author, a book proposal writer, and a vendor partner for AuthorsCommunity.net. She is also Leadership Certified: Christian Leaders Institute.