I used to be terrified of flying. A large piece of metal gliding along at 30,000 feet never exactly made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
My anxiety would kick in hours—and sometimes days—before a flight. I wouldn’t sleep well the night before, and I would wake up sick to my stomach with apprehension. I would get on the plane, sit down and start counting the minutes until I landed. With an “I’ve just got to get through this” mentality, I tried to distract myself from sinking into my anxiety. I knew my fear was strong. I knew it wouldn’t go away. So I just had to power through and wait until I safely landed.
But of all the times I hopped on planes and hid my fear from others (and God), I never thought to pray. I never thought to ask God a simple question: please take away my fear. Take away my anxiety. Comfort me.
After dozens of fear-filled flights, it dawned on me that God is more powerful than my fear. Matthew 9:26b reads, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything” (GNTD). So, while sitting on a plane and preparing for take off, I simply engaged God in silent, honest, raw prayer. God, I’m helpless. Take away my fear. Rid me of my anxiety. Comfort me and keep me safe.
Guess what? Once I prayed that simple prayer and surrendered my anxiety to God, flying didn’t seem so scary anymore. When I sat in my seat, I didn’t feel the need to clench my armrest during every bump. Instead, I was calm. I was peaceful. I felt like I was wrapped in a blanket of comfort.
What are you afraid of today?
Not everyone is afraid of flying, but we all fear something—even if we hide it from others. Maybe you’re afraid of making new friends and you hesitate to be yourself around new people. Maybe you fear getting up every morning, worried that after a long day of work you’ll feel unfulfilled yet again. Maybe you worry that you’re not doing married life right— you look around and see picture-perfect couples, wondering why you’re not as happy and put together as those around you.
In these moments, when you’re desperate to feel loved and comforted, hand over your fear to God. You can start by reflecting on these verses with me:
- Psalm 23:4 (CEV)
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. - John 10:10 (GNTD)
The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. - 1 Samuel 2:1-2 (CEV)
…You make me strong and happy, LORD. You rescued me. Now I can be glad and laugh at my enemies. No other god is like you. And with you we are safer than on a high mountain.
