I was born in Northern Ireland. Growing up, all my relatives lived overseas. I spent many summers traveling to visit family. I remember flying in prop planes across the ocean. The flights took much longer back in those days. I loved flying, that is until one day in the 1970s. My mom and I were flying from Belfast to Scotland to visit an aunt and uncle. The flight occurred during the height of “The Troubles” in Ireland. About halfway through the trip, we heard a tremendous bang, and the aircraft dropped thousands of feet. Several people on the flight passed out during the free fall. It all happened so quickly. But, the terrorizing moment remained etched in my mind. Since that day, I had a fear of flying.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Fear of Flying
I continue to fly because I love to travel. Usually, I cling to my husband’s arm or grip the armrest tightly. My white-knuckles visible the entire ride as I wait for the worst to happen. Years later, God called me into mission work. My first mission trip was only a short flight away in Haiti. However, as time wore on, God called me further from home. These trips meant longer plane rides and many on tiny prop planes, which I dreaded the most. When I walk out on the tarmac and see a prop plane, my heart thumps in my chest as my hand’s sweat. Sometimes, I feel almost paralyzed by the fear gripping my body. I questioned God; why do you keep calling me when you know my terror of flying?
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Trusting God
Finally, one day, I felt the Lord impress upon me that He wanted me to trust Him fully. I had a choice to make, entirely rely on God when I flew or continue to travel with anxiety. When I finally got tired of feeling afraid, I decided to try something different. I prayed for an entire week before my next trip to help calm my dread of flying. Slowly, I felt a change. With perseverance, I finally released my doubt to God. Now, I can fly without fear in the pit of my stomach. Praise the Lord!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength. We all have trouble that dominates our thoughts and lives. Those worries can control us if we let them. Christ wants us to give Him our problems so we can spend our time focusing on the right things, Jesus. I found over one hundred verses in the Bible reassuring us not to fear because God is with us. He wants to carry the burden of our fears. The choice is ours.
Blessings,
Yvonne M Morgan, #Blogger, #Speaker, #Writer
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc
Additional Resources:
Such a great reminder that God is with us always!
Thanks and God bless.
I had an infusion today, for osteoporosis. I was afraid and I asked many prayer warriors to pray. From the time I arrived for the infusion, God provided peace and calm for me. He provided wonderful, caring, attentive nurses, nurse practitioner and staff. I am thankful my “fear” went away and His calm filled me. 🙂
Amen Melissa. My mom got infusions for her arthritis. I pray they help you as much as they helped my mom. Thanks and God bless.
Different fears but the same trustworthy Lord!
So very true Beth. Thanks and God bless.
How amazing to read how God helped you overcome and face that fear! I think He loves to reward us with peace when we trust Him!
I think He does too. Thanks and God bless.
So glad God is in control and what a relief this must be for you! Think of all the places you would not have visited had you not faced this head on, including Myanmar. God is good.
God is so good. I can’t imagine my life without the places I visit because of the things God gives me to do. Thanks Stephen and God bless.
Thank you for sharing this real-life example of learning to lean into God’s power over our fears. It is easier said than done. But certainly prayer changes things. Especially when we need a heart change within ourselves. The Lord God is faithful!
He is so very faithful to us especially when we allow Him to change us. Thanks and God bless.
I was in Belfast last summer and got a bigger look at the Troubles–bigger than the glimpses I saw as a young person watching the news in America. You have an amazing story, Yvonne. So glad you’re choosing trust over fear. God bless!
I hope you enjoyed the visit. Belfast is a lovely place. Thanks Nancy and God bless.
Yvonne, I haven’t flown as much as you, but I don’t like to fly. I flew when I was little and don’t really remember it. In college, I started doing summer mission projects with CRU, and flew many places in the U.S. and to several countries in Africa. The last time I flew out west, the weather was terrible and so was the turbulence from severe storms…I prayed out loud it was such a frightful flight. I think the people on that plane were thankful I did. 🙂
I am sure they were all praying too, just not out loud. It is amazing to see how much better I do with turbulence. I would not say I enjoy it but i am more relaxed and can ignore now. Thanks Karen and God bless.
Fears can be so overwhelming and debilitating. I’m grateful for God, who is there no matter what. He’s bigger than my fears.
Yes He is so much bigger. Sometimes we need to be reminded. Thanks Jessica and God bless