The
LORD
is on my side; I
will
not fear: what can man
do
unto me?
Psalm 118:6 KJV
I will never forget my first airplane
flight. I was, as we say in the south, scared spitless! It was an emergency flight as my
brother-in-law had finally succumbed to cancer, and my husband and I had to
make a fast trip from Texas to Michigan. Since it is a twenty-four hour drive,
we decided to fly.
Fear of the unknown kicked in as soon as
we arrived at the airport. But, by the time we boarded the plane; I had calmed
myself and thought I was ready. However, as soon as the wheels left the runway
my fingernails plunged themselves into my husband’s arm. Every squeak, rattle
or slight shake of the plane was an indication that we were going to die.
By the time we reached the airport and
banked for approach to the runway, I was sure that a crash was imminent. My
voice was silent but my actions betrayed my fear as my husband continued to pat
my arm and explain everything that was happening.
Once on the ground, I began to wonder how
I was going to get back to Texas. I assured myself that it would be with wheels
on the ground! But a few days later we were once again in the air and the
second trip frightened me a little less than the first.
That was decades ago, and by now I have
flown many times, including over the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy having the window
seat from which to photograph and admire God’s handiwork.
Fear is a natural instinct. Sometimes it
is good as it keeps us from walking too close to the edge of a cliff or stops
us from pulling out in traffic in front of a speeding vehicle. Fear of legal
consequences keeps us from breaking the law, and fear of personal injury causes
us to be watchful in dangerous places.
But fear can be crippling. Fear of the
unknown might stop us from enjoying a wonderful adventure. Fear of rejection
may cause us to build an emotional wall. Fear of failure may cause us to say no
to God as he opens doors of opportunity and calls us to walk down a
never-before traveled path.
If today you are living with fear in any
area of your life, remember the words of the Psalmist, “The LORD
is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
© Joyce Powell
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