We’re Done
...something that took less than two seconds.
For the last 11 years, one of my best friends has been asking me to go back to Ghana with her. Her dad’s side is from Accra, and she visits every year for a few months. I’ve always wanted to go, but the timing was never right. And to be honest, I only got my passport a few years ago. I know, I know—these days, people seem to judge you if you don’t have a passport or haven’t traveled internationally. Well, judge me if you want, because in 40 years of living, I’ve never been out of the country—until now!
In less than a week, I’ll be in Ghana. It hasn’t fully kicked in yet, but I know it will. One of the requirements to enter Ghana is the Yellow Fever vaccine, and let me tell you—I do not like vaccines. I don’t like needles. I started researching side effects, reading horror stories, and watching way too many videos of people getting the shot. Before I knew it, I had full-on vaccine anxiety. I was actually ready to cancel the trip just to avoid getting this shot. Was I seriously about to miss the trip of a lifetime because of one little needle?
Honestly… yes, I was. But I pushed through and booked the appointment.
The first place told me it would cost $500—newsflash, most insurance doesn’t cover travel vaccines. Some do, but most don’t. I immediately canceled. The next appointment was at Walgreens for around $275. I wanted to cancel again, but my husband, Brandon, told me not to. Then, for some reason, the pharmacy couldn’t find my prescription (yep, you need a prescription to get the vaccine). I booked two more appointments, both of which got rescheduled. By the time I finally got in to take the shot, I had mentally prepared myself for the worst.
I walked into the private health room, and the nurse asked which arm. I told her, took a deep breath, and braced myself. Then she said, “Turn around, the Yellow Fever vaccine goes in the back of the arm.” I turned, still holding my breath, and before I could even process it, she said—
“We’re done.”
Wait… what?! That was it? No pain? No drama? Nothing?! Here I was, about to pass out over something that took two seconds.
All that fear, all that anxiety, all that overthinking—for what?
It made me realize how often we let fear hold us back from the things we’re called to do. Whether it’s a trip, an opportunity, or a step of faith, we build up worst-case scenarios in our minds that never actually happen. But God hasn’t called us to live in fear—He’s called us to trust Him.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7
So if fear is standing between you and something God has for you, take the step anyway. Face it head-on. You just might realize there was nothing to be afraid of in the first place.