Crush It: Fear

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've never been a fan of flying. The first time I rode on a plane, I was taking a trip to Pennsylvania with my family, and I was so nervous, I was crying and shaking the entire flight. At 22, almost 23, years old, those fears haven't gone away. I still cry leading up to the flight, my chest is still tight the entire duration, it just never gets easier for me.
Every time I fly anywhere. Same tears, same chest pains, same fears. People always say, "it gets easier the more you fly," but for me, it never seems to. Every time I fly, we land and I reach my destination safely. I know it always turns out okay, but every time, I ask myself, "what if this is the time it doesn't?"
I cling to fear instead because in that moment, it's what I know, and it's easier.
How often do we do this with the Lord?
We cling to fear instead of safety and peace the Lord places right in front of us - Jesus. Something happens in life; school work piles up, we lose our job, we receive a diagnosis, we experience fear.
One time, I was flying home and journaled on this topic of fear. As I sat on the plane watching Parks and Recreation and writing out some ideas, I looked out the window and began to talk to God.
"God, I need to hear You speak into my fear."
I overlooked the city below, and since it was a night flight, the darkness below is illuminated with the lights of whatever town we're flying over. I saw how far the lights went, how much ground we were covering, and how quickly we were. Then this phrase came into my mind.
"Carrie, I'm bigger than all of this."
Okay God. Bigger than my fear? Yes.
What about my crazy school work load? Yes.
Graduation? Yes.
Fear of flying? Yes.
Anything I see from up here? Yes.
Oh. That's big.
It's easy to forget how big God is. We board the plane of fear, cling to the armrests, tense our shoulders, and tighten our seatbelt. But God says rest.
Why is that? Why is it that the second we face a trial we tense up out of fear?
If I was sitting on the street that the plane is flying over right now, all I'd see is a few street lamps, a couple other cars, the usual things you see on a road. That's all. But 30,000 feet give you a little perspective (cue the Ben Rector song now). You see it all.
Jesus sees the whole picture. I don't. Not yet, at least. There comes a time we need to let go of the armrest and rest in the promise that Jesus is safe.
Friends, maybe you're living in fear. Maybe life is taking off and things are happening that terrify you. You know God has been faithful before, but you're convincing yourself that this could be the time He isn't.
But that's the thing with God. It's never a question of when He's going to fail, because He never will. His provision is coming, ready to blossom, ready to flourish, but we have to be brave and trusting in the harvest.
As you come face to face with fear, stare it down, say bring it on, because there is a God standing behind you that's already on your side.
Peter walked on water (Matthew 14). Wouldn’t that be terrifying? To step out in the faith and walk on waters where the waves stood several times your height. But Jesus calls him out.
What are your fears right now? What is your airplane you’re boarding right now? What is the storm you’re walking on now?
I’ll make you a promise. Jesus is there on the plane. Jesus is there on the seas. He’s before you, He’s behind you, He’s holding you. There is no reason to fear, because you have a powerful God who is already victorious. Who or what then shall you fear? (Psalm 27:1)
Rebekah Lyons wrote a book called “You Are Free,” and each chapter is a different free to be topic. Chapter 13 is about bravery, and in it, she writes:
“There comes a moment for each of us wherein we must decide - will we be brave, or will we remain enslaved to fear? Will we be brave enough to confess? Will we be brave enough to walk into God’s calling? Being brave means no shrinking back or blaming obstacles. A lifetime of sweaty palms and racing heartbeats has shown me the plain truth: Bravery is moving scared. Bravery requires stepping out.” (Lyons, 199).
There is no fear you will encounter in which God is not big enough. He's bigger than any fear, trial, or situation you face.
It's time to let go of the armrests and rest in the arms of Jesus. Rest in the security of His love. Rest in knowing He is bigger than any fear we face. Let’s be brave.
 
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7
"So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” Hebrews 13:6
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
 

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Written By: Carrie