Fear

Sorry for the double-post Monday, but this has been heavy on my heart and mind lately.

What do you fear? Spiders? Heights? Commitment? Airplanes? Children?

When I was young my parents took me on one of those sightseeing helicopter rides over Pigeon Forge. I remember thinking, "I bet I could make a huge splash if I jumped in the pool at Ogle's from this height!" (I was too young to understand that would kill me!) Then in elementary school we studied airplanes and space shuttles so we walked to the local airport and road around M'town in a little plane. I thought it was so cool to see all the little things. Then I did not flying for the next 15 years. After graduating from college I had to fly to Wisconsin for some training for a new job. I wasn't big on the thoughts of flying, but I decided it was ok. I have flown several times since but each time it seems my fear grows. Even the thought of getting in a plane terrifies me. I look up at planes in the sky and half the time I feel scared for the people on them. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I really fear this.

A friend and I have talked about fear a lot lately. It's ironic that no matter what the fear is, it drives us drastic measures. We can't eat, we get nervous, we clam up, our emotions get out of control. What fear does this to you? I had begun researching this subject in the Bible and last night at church God handed it to me via our student minister in the service.

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

My fear of flying is still there. It isn't going to disappear overnight. I just have to remember to hand it over to Him and He will take care of me.