Listen to Nancy as she answers the question on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve
Years ago, I decided to face my fear of flying head-on. I was tired of white-knuckling the armrests of my seat, like that, could save me, and sweating profusely from take-off to landing. Getting to my destination and leaving it ruined the whole trip. I had to do something to keep my fear from having free-reign over my emotions. I mustered up all the courage in me and went to a nearby airstrip and walked through the door marked “Flight Instructor.” The next day the instructor and I got in this small single-prop plane, and down the runway, we went. The instructor, noticing visible signs of panic, began to tell me that once I learned to fly on my own, the fear of flying would go away. It took hours of study and many hours of flying for me to get my pilot’s license. The anxiety went away, and I learned to love flying.
I have thought about flight school as I wrestle with these times that can cause so many of us to fear, experience high anxiety, and a strong sense of disorientation of trying to understand the world we now inhabit. Many are “stuck” not only emotionally but in their faith as well. Many are lost and have been trying to perform theirs through life rather than surrendering to God.
Is God not in control? Not only is He in control, but he allows what is happening to turn people to Himself and to ignite Christians to pray, sincerely read His Word, and reach out to others. It is time for all of us to face our fears and rise above them. The world conditions might not change, but with Christ, all things are possible. We can persevere through anything if our trust is in God, not man or our feelings!
God, Himself tells us in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.'”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD; your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God did not design us to live in fear with distractions that take our eyes off our purpose for living. Our humanistic culture has infiltrated our Christian community creating in many a casual, superficial relationship with God. The gospel has gotten pushed aside. The focus has become more on what we can acquire, which is never enough, and on ourselves rather than on God. Many churches are all about being filled with people and offerings, resulting in many walking away from their faith.
Now is the time to slow down and get back to the basics of our faith. Getting into the scriptures and refreshing our relationship with God and praying for God to receive the glory by the way we live our lives is of prime importance. When God is first, then God will give us peace in turmoil, no matter its source.
“If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
What would happen if those in this city, or Indiana, or this country, prayed for the healing of their hearts and the healing of their land? It is a prayer for revival that requires those in the nation to humble themselves and collectively pray for healing. If that happens, God would respond. Let’s pray that God would turn the hearts of all those in our nation towards repentance, prayer, and faith in Jesus Christ! That is the beginning of the moral revival, personal regeneration, and cultural restoration.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
“You, Lord God, take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that the wicked turn from their ways and live.” (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11)
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).