For several years now I have had a fear of flying, it has stopped me from doing many things. I felt God ask me to take a year of my life and devote it to him, so I agreed. Little did I know this agreement would be in the form of a mission trip that will require me to fly all around the world. This is more than a story of overcoming fear, it is also a story of the power of prayer. In order to go on my mission trip (The World Race) I had to fly to Atlanta, Georgia to go to a week long training. I was excited but I also had an ultimatum to God “If I freak out flying then I am not sure I can go on this mission trip.” The Wednesday before I left my bible study prayed over my fear of flying and I felt that fear vanish from me. I got on the airplane and I didn’t feel the onset of a panic attack like I usually do, take off was easy and the rest of my flight to Atlanta went great. I felt relieved. I had overcome this fear that had at one point kept me from traveling. This victory over my fear of flying however was not complete. I got on to the airplane in Atlanta getting ready to fly home and again I felt no fear! We had another easy take off and the flight was smooth for about 20 minutes. I felt so excited that I had overcome this fear, but for some reason in my heart I felt myself say “bring on the storm.” Instantly I told God I took it back. That is when I looked out the window and saw us getting ready to fly into black clouds. The fasten seat belt lights went on and we began to fly into a storm.
The plane went into severe turbulence, rocking back and forth, dipping all over the place, and I found myself not afraid because I knew God was in control! I was tired so I took out my pillow and rested, then I remembered when Jesus slept through the storm in Matthew 8: 23-27. Unrest is a synonym of turbulence along with confusion, turmoil, and instability. Victory did not come through praising him when there was no storm it came when I was in the midst of what would normally scare me, to have turbulence all around me and to be able to have faith that my life was in God’s hands. I now have truly overcome my fear of flying, although I may still be afraid at times I know that there is rest in trusting my savior.
