Going Down the Stairs with Jeremiah

“My sweet Jeremiah, it is time to go downstairs. You do not need to fear, for I will be with you the whole way. In fact, I will carry you in my arms. Trust me, you do not want to stay upstairs forever. Yes, it will be different, but there are good things awaiting you downstairs…. Things you need, like breakfast, and things for you to enjoy, such as your siblings and a box full of toys that are yours. I know you don’t even understand words I use, like “breakfast” and “siblings,” but I am your mommy and you can trust me.”

Jeremiah was terribly frightened of being carried down the stairs. I am not sure why he was so scared. I have never dropped him or even slipped while holding him, on the stairs or anywhere else. No matter how I held him—whether tighter, closer, or in a different position, nothing seemed to help. He would throw his arms straight out, every muscle would become tense, and he would take a deep gulp of air, as if he couldn’t even muster up the strength to cry. He always had a look of sheer terror on his face. But, as soon as we got to the bottom, he would be just fine. I felt so badly for him. I knew we were going to get down the stairs just fine, yet I could not convince him otherwise.

One morning recently, however, something completely different happened. We started down the stairs and Jeremiah clung to me instead of fighting me. He rested his head on my shoulder, in the crook of my neck. His body did not tense up. In fact, he seemed to relax right there as I held him close and tight. When we got to the landing, I was so happy for him that he had made it down the stairs peacefully. I praised him for holding on and trusting me. I will never know why he made the choice that day to react differently to our trip down the stairs, but I suddenly realized a deeper spiritual truth through all of this.

God promises us that we will have trials. He is going to take us “down the stairs.” But, he also promises to be with us at all times. He is a powerful and trustworthy God who is able to get down the stairs safely every time. And He is a good God who knows what we need at the other end of the stairs. He has good things planned for us there. So, we can fight Him, stiffen up and be terrified through our trip, or we can choose to take refuge in Him, cling to Him and enjoy Him through the process. Either way, when we’re going down the stairs, it’s up to us what the trip will be like.

I realize this all sounds so easy, but the analogy came so vividly to me that day that I pray that I will remember it as I face trials of my own. I hope it encourages you as well.

…under his wings you will find refuge Psalm 91:4b

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart; Isaiah 40:11a

The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13