Creator's Promise to Guide Us Through Our Fear

“Do not live in fear of sudden disaster or the storm that will come on evildoers. For Grandfather will be your courage. He will not let your foot stumble onto an enemy’s trap” (Proverbs 3:25–26, First Nations Version).

As Yakama people, we have a virtue called yaych’unakł. This virtue describes being courageous, never giving up, no matter how hard life gets.

Tichám (earth or the land) teaches us courage. Xwayamá (eagle) isn’t afraid of a storm. She just rides the winds. Nusúx (salmon) isn’t intimidated by the waterfall. He keeps jumping and never gives up. Fear is very real for us two-legged beings, but it is not the end of our story. Creator, who made the eagle and salmon, also made us to never give up.

This proverb teaches us to have courage when trouble comes on suddenly. Life is full of storms: sickness, loss, conflict, and broken treaties and promises. Like lightning across the sky, these troubles can appear without warning. The teaching of this proverb is clear: have courage. Why? Because Tamánwiła (Creator) is our courage. Creator is like the strong root of the cedar tree, keeping us grounded when the winds roar.

When we follow Creator’s path, we avoid life’s traps. Our hunters know where they laid traps in the mountains, so they know where to step and not to step. Creator also knows where the traps of life are and shows us where to step. We are not promised a life without danger or hardship, but Creator does promise to guide us through it all.

Our elders teach us that courage is not the absence of fear but walking forward with trust. That is what this proverb teaches: we walk into each day with courage, not because we are strong enough, but because Creator walks beside us.

When the hard times come—and they will come—remember eagle on the wind. Remember salmon at the waterfall. Take courage that Creator will keep you from stepping into the traps of life.

Prayer

Tamánwiła, Life-Guider,
stay beside me on every trail in this life.
When the hard times come, give me courage.
Guide my steps, safe from traps I can’t see.
Give me courage, not fear,
and promise me you’ll be right here with me all the way.

About the Author

Corey Greaves and his wife, Gina, are from the Confederated Tribes & Bands of the Yakama Nation. They founded Mending Wings in 2006 and have watched it grow to be one of the largest, spirituality-based youth organizations in the country (mendingwings.net). They have a family of four children and nine grandchildren and make their home in Toppenish, Washington, on the Yakama Reservation. Corey served as a youth pastor for the American Indian Evangelism Association/McKinley Indian Mission, where he pastored the largest Native American youth ministry in the Restoration Movement churches, as well as with the Central Washington Presbytery, where he facilitated the growth of the largest Native American youth ministry in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

Corey is a gifted speaker with a passion for his people and a deep love for Creator. He speaks at colleges, universities, conferences, churches, youth groups, and organizations across the U.S. He seeks to bring reconciliation between the Church and Native people by addressing both historical and contemporary challenges.