recent blog<\/a>, I shared about my struggle with fear. As usual, I wrote openly and honestly, but I didn\u2019t reveal my biggest fear of all. Those closest to me know that fear intimately, because I do talk about it even though I would rather not. My actions, both those grace-filled and those not so much, have reverberated how much control the fear of flying has held me captive. In all actuality, the fear had become a strangle-hold that has prevented me from participating in many life events, sadly including seeing family and serving God.<\/p>\nWhen I wrote that previous blog, I knew full well what plans I had to conquer (okay, let\u2019s get real) – to challenge fear\u2019s death grip on my life. I am blessed with some of the world\u2019s best friends, and a special one gave me the opportunity to go on a cruise with her. The only catch was I somehow needed to get to Tampa. Oh, that\u2019s only 1650 miles from my home.<\/p>\n
As I researched my options, I discovered the most economical and most convenient (read: not taking an extra week of travel) option was to fly. Since God had already lain on my heart that I needed to let go of this all-consuming fear, I knew what I had to do. I didn\u2019t like it, but I needed to be obedient to his call on my struggle. I will confess that it took me three months to have the nerve to buy the ticket, but once I did, I knew there was no turning back.<\/p>\n
Previously, all my thoughts would have fixated on the panic of being inside the airplane. By all my thoughts, I mean every waking thought. So great was my terror that I could not watch airplane movies and even would tremble when purchasing tickets for previous flights. I won\u2019t even tell you how bad my behavior was on those actual flights. Although, I will say I met one of my dearest friends that way \u2013 mid-air, consoling a sobbing me who was convinced she was going to perish that day.<\/p>\n
This time was different. My captured thoughts (2 Cor 10:5) were spent giving my fear back to Jesus. My hands did not tremble when I purchased the ticket, and every time doubt crept in, I whispered, \u201cFear of flying, meet my Jesus.<\/strong>\u201d Initially, I told very few people about my trip because I wasn\u2019t completely confident of my abilities to do this. (It would not be the first time I walked on a flight and got right back off.) I acknowledged that I couldn\u2019t do this, but instead placed it\u00a0at the feet of my Lord, who could. Somehow, my heart filled with peace. It was a slow transformation<\/em>.<\/p>\nThe day arrived, and much to my surprise, I wasn\u2019t filled with trepidation. I announced the day as \u201cFreedom Day\u201d to my family as they drove me to the airport. Freedom<\/em> from what was holding me hostage was a huge obstacle to overcome.<\/p>\n![\"AllegiantSun\"](\"http:\/\/2xkcvt35vyxycuy7x23e0em1a5g.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/AllegiantSun.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
After boarding the plane, I immediately set my mind on my previous week\u2019s and day\u2019s humble beseeching prayer, and hoped for the best. (I rest assured in the hope I have placed in God and his Son, my confidence in me, however, was marginal, at best.) Never one short in hugs or stories, I did the one thing that came most natural to me \u2013 struck up a conversation with my seatmates.<\/p>\n
In the way that only God could orchestrate, my new found friends were a pastor and his wife. I marveled at their peace and reassurance of my situation (even on occasion holding my hand), but also at how much we had to share with each other. I came away buoyed not only by their friendship, but also their wisdom in many of the topics we discussed during the flight. We shared that while we all have struggles; God is faithful through it all. With that, I was reminded that I had already lived through (and survived<\/em><\/strong>) my worst nightmare (of losing a child)\u00a0with God\u2019s steadfast hand ever present. While our lives were not mirror images, we did have one reflection in common \u2013 a burning desire to live life for Jesus while loving on his people.<\/p>\nThe hours passed quickly as we swapped stories. Faster than I thought was imaginable, the flight was over! I successfully flew with help of God and my new friends (B & T)! Letting go of my personal kryptonite, I tasted how sweet freedom truly was.<\/p>\n
I wish I could tell you that is where the story ended. But that is not exactly what God had in mind! A week later, as it was time to return home, God provided once again! Because there in seats A and B to my C, were my friends from a week ago!<\/p>\n
As I have professed before, the only things I truly collect are God\u2019s blessings of friends. I was blown away by some amazing new ones who will always be able to say not only did they witness \u201cFreedom Day\u201d, but they were a part of God\u2019s plan for it.<\/p>\n
When I read those words this morning, I heard God\u2019s gentle reminder \u2013<\/p>\n
Trust me, Kandy. I\u2019ve got it all under control. <\/em><\/p>\nHumbly, I am truly thankful He does.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today during my daily morning time with God, the opening lines in my devotional, Jesus Calling, summed up a recent experience of mine. \u201cTRUST ME, and don\u2019t be afraid. Many things feel out of control.\u201d These were simple words which revealed an area of my life that I have battled for years. In a recent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[933,934,935,780,936,232,937,312,493,938],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}