On today’s agenda: getting over my fear.
Have you ever sat down and made a list of the things you’re afraid of? I don’t need to make a list, because it’s easy to remember a list of just 1 line item. Part of me hopes that by “writing this” and admitting to it and sharing it with others will make it disappear, or at least heavily dissolve into something that hardly exists. If that happened I’d be one happy girl :] I’ve prayed about this fear, Zack has prayed about it, but it just won’t leave my heart alone. It’s frustrating — and the possibly even more frustrating part is I know we’re not supposed to live life afraid of something silly like this. It’s not what my God wants for me. Or you.
- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Isaiah 41:10
So that makes today the day. If I publish this, it’ll go away. Right? Because I have to face it in just a few weeks. And then a few weeks after {crossing my fingers the trip works out}. And a few weeks after that. That’s a total of 3 times in the next 7 weeks, in case you weren’t following ;]
What’s my fear? Airplanes. Flying. Being in an airplane that’s in the air.
Cue stomach churning.
The frustrating part of this fear is that growing up, my family and I flew often ~ I’d guess that at least once a year, vacations and youth group trips and spring break trips, making me a pro at being “a la airplane”. But flying suddenly freaked me out the day I needed to fly solo for my biz. The more conferences I went to for Gussy Sews, the more sickened I felt over flying. It was a sudden but fierce fear. A few weeks before I’d need to get on an airplane I’d feel ill over the upcoming trip :}
I’m finally realizing that growing up/being an adult is scary. Not only is it not fun at times {bills, blah!}, but it’s scary. There’s no one to plug your ears during breaking news interruptions, no one to cover your eyes at scary photos and events. Right? I remember that horrific event our country experienced 10 years ago. Prior to a few years ago there seemed to be no real reason for me to be afraid of becoming an adult. Zack and I were living in Michigan then, near our family & friends. Our life together was normal and very comfortable. Then in August of 2009 we moved from Detroit, MI to Minneapolis, MN and it’s like one day a few months later I woke up and suddenly understood what 12 hours from family & friends felt like ~ at times it has been scary & different. We’re walking a foreign path.
I realized last year that this recent fear of flying has got to be an attempt from the devil to challenge my faith. And the more I pinpoint the devil as the cause the more it makes sense. I have NEVER been afraid of flying, but suddenly I am. Once I started Gussy Sews, once Zack and I started planning for me to pursue Gussy Sews full-time, flying to attend an event where I’d be celebrating this new gift was not going over well with the devil, which makes sense. He doesn’t seem to be a fan of how low I think of him.
Instead of fearing flying I want to be praising God for WHY I’m flying. I wouldn’t be attending these conferences & events if it weren’t for the blessing of this business. For over a year I’ve tried to convince myself that there’s really no need to be afraid.
One recent flight, I was so nervous to fly that I didn’t eat much that morning. I thought, the less that goes in the less my stomach has to churn. As I got ready to board the plane I started feeling more & more ill. I was buckled in and my sweaty hands were gripping the armrest of the seat. The plane was moving down the runway at lightning speed. I was starting to feel sick, but took slow, long breaths and tried my hardest to calm down. The tires lifted off the ground; I felt my stomach flip as the plane quickly rose to 5,000 feet, then 10,000 feet. Breathe, Maggie. As soon as the plane reached a steady height the flight attendants started passing out a small snack. And I’ll tell you what — I thought I was going to pass out. I was not feeling well, and you know how your mind can quickly flash through “what if” moments? Yeah. I feared I would pass out and then that fear made my stomach churn even more. Clearly this wasn’t good.
Upward went my finger, straight to the Call button, so I could ask the attendant for a few extra snacks. I was really worried about how I was feeling. Never had I felt that afraid and I finally said to God, “You’re the only one that can take this fear away from me.” And that’s the only thing that got me through the rest of the flight.
I need to remember more often, God totally knows what He’s doing with me and my life; it’s already planned out. Yet as humans it’s so hard to believe that. So in the meantime I’m trying to take more comfort in this verse, which I aboslutely love:
- The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still, Exodus 14:14
It makes me want to shout, BRING IT! God, whatever challenges you have for me, BRING THEM TO ME! Make me believe that You Can and You Will help me get over this fear! I’m just so unsure how else I’m supposed to get over it.
- But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and now be faint, 1 Samuel 40:31
The next time I board a flight — which will be Friday, September 23 {12 days from now}, I need to believe I’m going to be boarding the wings of an Eagle.
♥
I’m with you. I have always been a nervous flyer, but when I was working I had to fly for my job. I prayed A LOT during take offs {which were the worst!!} and during most of the flight. Prayer is amazing and holding onto Him does make it easier :)
My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31 “they that trust in the Lord rise up on wings like eagles….”
I picture an huge eagle under each plane wing – and that comforts me!!
Oh my what a way to face your fear, 3 times. I will be praying for you. I hope you can find comfort in His arms each time you fly. I pray that on each flight that the Lord reminds you that your are in His hands, the safest place to be!
thank you Kim!!! ♥
I love your honesty in this blog today! I have faith in your God too, Gussy…and I know you will be just fine. I love your work…all of it. :) God bless you, Maggie!
I can just tell you’re going to get over this. Your faith and determination will beat this thing once and for all. To God be the glory!
thank you Shelly. and thanks for holding my hand on the plane home from Blissom… you don’t know how much that comforted me :] poor Anna, she was probably glad to have you take that off her plate! ha ha.
The one thing that always helps me when facing a challenge is remembering to button my top button, GOD is Good, that way everything else will line up when your top button is buttoned. I pray for protection and total trust that God is good and will comfort your heart when your flying. Remember ” he who is in you is greater then he who is in the world 1john 4:4… When u feel fear creep up just hold that negative thought captive and replace it with truth, Gods word. Believing for totally breakthrough in this area in Jesus’ mighty name!!
This is a fantastic post Maggie. As Christians, it’s easy to forget that our anxiety and fears are not merely vehicles of our own sinful condemnation, but also of the attacker… Maybe you could download some messages you like from your church or John Piper or Mark Driscoll – get your mind off the fear and feed your soul!
yes — yes! that makes total sense to me, too. i have felt so defeated over this because i had been praying this fear to dissolve, but just recently did i start praying that i KNEW it was all the devil ~ and my God is mightier than the devil.
thanks for your comment julia! you’re so sweet. xoxo
Darlin’ girl,
Thank you SO much for this post. You just talked all about my own fears and anxiety. God is doing a MIGHTY and AWESOME work in my life right now regarding those fears. Lots of deliverance going on! :)
you, dear gussy, can do whatever your heart and mind tell you, that you can! it certainly helps to know that we are not alone (down here or up there in the air!). The best part about flying? Picture God as your pilot. (He pretty much is anyway, right?!?) :) Have so much fun. xo, barb (be forever lovely)
i’ll definitely be picturing that on the 23rd :)
Satan is a liar! He can make you *what if* and *fear the unimaginable* all the time. But the reality is, our what if’s and our fears NEVER come true. Don’t let him steal your joy. Don’t let him steal your joy. The Lord gave you Gussy Sews to be a JOY, not a burden…so DO NOT give Satan an inch, because he’ll take a mile. GUSSY SEWS is your JOY! Embrace that joy and get on that plane knowing that God’s got this! *EMAIL TO FOLLOW*
I can relate a bit – it seems that the older I get the more scared I get of things – even things that I have a lot of experience doing and have been doing all of my life and was never scared of before. It’s a very frustrating and trapped feeling.
I can so understand your fear! I developed a fear of traveling long distances in the car after my Mom died. I had never been that way before……I used to have to drive an hour one way to work every day and it never bothered me. I think you’re right……it’s the enemy trying to prevent you from those blessings and God is the only one who can deliver us from these fears! Good luck! I know He will be right there with you!
Your not alone, I’ve been known to cancel trips on the day of a flight. I’m a nervous flyer too, something about being in such a small place……anyway, what is the saying? God brought you to it, he’ll bring you through it!! Just remember to take long slow deep breaths and say to yourself under your breath or in your head….RELAAAAXXXXXXX!!!! I swear it helps! You’ll do great!!
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 nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Exodus 23:27 says “I will send My terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people to whom you shall come, and I will make all your foes turn from you in flight.”
The Amplified Bible says “in flight” how fitting:) your foe(fear) will turn from you! In our ministry every time we have ever moved forward despite big fears it has ALWAYS been worth it, God has always done HUGE things on the other side of it!! With that being said that must mean Gussy Sews/You are about to embark on something HUGE, can’t wait to hear what that is!!! Have a peaceful flight :)
hi danielle! i like your positivity-ness :] i’m taking notes on the comments left here. XOXO
I love your last part of the post! About praising God why I am facing my fear! For me that is fabulous! Especially that I am reading this today… I have a fear of needles, blood draws, shots. I can’t handle them, I get really weird, I can’t think straight, my arms and knees go into a bent position and i can’t straigthen them. It is awful.. well today is the day my work is offering flu shots!! I dread this day every year! Thank you for this post!
You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you!
xoxoxo!!!!!!!!
{did you have the courage to get your flu shot?!}
Sweet sweet Maggie~
You always seem to be a source of inspiration.
Thanks for reminding me that we must BATTLE the DEVIL and show him who’s BOSS!
I too have fears.
Now that you mention the devil himself…I”m almost certain he must be behind my fears as well.
One of my fears involves stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting up with people….social settings.
No one understands this about me…everyone thinks I’m this SOCIAL butterfly~not shy at all.
But I am.
I am shy.
I can work myself into a real panic when I have a social engagement ahead of me.
Which is exactly why I haven’t attended any blogging conferences up until now.
I really really really pray God will lead me through these fears.
I would love to attend blog conferences and represent my new Indie business.
As far as flying…my Mom fears flying just like you.
It’s the total reason why she hasn’t been able to come out and experience my new world here in the Northwest.
Wanna know what I do when I fly~
I take a .5 mg valium. About 30 minutes before boarding I take a valium.
I also take 1 Dramamine.
Then I get on the plane and say a little prayer.
When the plane takes off…I close my eyes…hold on tight…and KNOW that GOD is watching over me and that there are millions of planes taking off everywhere that are just fine!
Honestly…the valium take the edge off…it truly does.
Thanks for sharing.
You always make me SMILE.
One day I hope I get to give you a BIG hug in person!!!!
You just can’t imagine how much YOUR BIG HEART has inspired me across the miles!
Snuggles to Bauer!
I adore you sweet~girl!
xo
Thank you for this post! I too am afraid of flying! I do it but it doesn’t sit well with my soul. So I’m glad I’m not alone : )
the reason i’ve flown these last 18 months is because i refuse to let fear take over my life, especially when the source of the fear isn’t a loving source. i may hold my breath the entire plane ride and feel super nervous, but i still board the plane.
i try and tell myself that being in an airplane is an AMAZING adventure. i try not to look out the windows… instead focus on who/what i’m going to see once we land :]
XO
Flying really isn’t so bad. I have been flying alone since I was around 9 years old. Get yourself a portable DVD player, some ear plugs (these are so your ears don’t pop when the plane lands, put them in before take off) and some headphones. Say a prayer and relax. Before you know it you will be landing. Your blog is great! My mom’s name is Gussie.
hi angie! oh, thanks for the comment!!! i feel like i would be so much for relaxed if i could listen to music during the ENTIRE flight, but they always ask me to turn off my iPod… bummer!
your mom has an awesome name ;]
“Raise You Up on Eagle’s Wings” was the hymn we sang in church yesterday! I know it’s scary to fly all by yourself, but the reason you’re travelling is AWESOME!!!! Good luck!!!
this gave me goosebumps. i am flying out to L.A. the 23rd and don’t like to fly, either. maybe we will see each other in layover land or something. praying for you and thanks for answering my camera strap question. i love gussysews!!
there’s where i’m going!!!! are you flying out of Minneapolis, by chance? :)
i wish that alaska air really did take ruffle monies & I could fly with you.
and it’s so interesting about flying that people fear b/c it’s truly the place where we do not have control. we are not flying the plane, we don’t have a hand in the weather.. we just have to trust. and it’s scary. scary.
my two-bits: my dad is an engineer and he works for a company that designs airplane engine sensors… not only that, my dad works on the sensors that go on the engine sensors.
yes. you got that right. there are sensors that go on the senors of an airplane engine so that the technicians know even if the sensor on the engine has failed. it’s like a double safety measure. so in terms of safety, my dad, the engineer, says flying is one of the safest ways to travel… :)
also. i get to meet you in L.A. so there’s always that. :)
prayers to you on that friday… :)
Love this post – thanks so much for sharing your fear. I have a similar one, actually, and it’s held me back from doing some things that I think God had planned for me. I’m ok with flying & traveling, as long as I’m not alone. If I’m by myself, I’m scared to even drive somewhere new, much less get on a plane! I know I’ve missed some great opportunities because I’m too fearful to go on an adventure on my own and believe I can do it, and that’s sad and certainly not the kind of woman God intends me to be. As sad as I am to miss Relevant this year, for example, I was secretly thrilled to have to sell my ticket when I got pregnant because I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about driving by myself, arriving to the hotel alone, not knowing anyone at all. Isn’t that awful? (sorry about writing a book on your blog, I just couldn’t stop!). Praying for you!
Well, I’m writing this about six hours before I board an airplane, haha! I too am a very scared-y cat flyer. I am so glad I read this post right now…”Boarding the wings of an Eagle?” AMAZING! So beautiful, and so true :)
Love your blog!
I’ll be praying for you! Just within the past couple of years I’ve been dealing with fear/anxiety to the point where I think of the trigger and my heart races and it takes my breath away a little bit. I know it’s the enemy trying to get control of my mind, so I’ve been trying to turn quickly to God in those moments. Thanks for sharing your heart. I believe getting stuff into the light helps break it’s grip.
You.are.awesome. Love this post! I went through a similar fear and for similar reasons in my mid-20s. I decided to use that time to worship, so I made sure my iPod was always loaded with music and I instead of freaking out and watching the flight attendants to see if they looked scared, I praised!
…you watched the flight attendants, too?!
oh man, that is so me.
once one told me to sit down and not use the bathroom because the turbulence was about to start. i thought i was going to die, literally. i don’t know how i made it back to my seat. (WHY do i need to remind myself of memories like that?!)
anyways… thanks for commenting and sharing a little bit of your heart. it means a lot to know my friends are a little crazy when it comes to flying, too ;)
Girl, I HEAR YA! I actually take valium to fly, and it is SO MUCH BETTER that way. Red wine doesn’t hurt either.
All things possible through Him, right? So no biggie ;)
Also you’re flying the day before my 30th bday. There’s no way anything catastrophic can happen that close to my big day. no way!
:)
I can totally relate! I am SO terrified of flying on planes too!! I’ve tried getting the window seat and just looking out and marveling at all of God’s creations. It serves as a very practical reminder that He is in control! :) I’ll be thinking of you when I board my plane on the 23rd as well! We can do this!!
Oh Maggie…I am so with you….fear is absolutely debilitating. I struggled with traveling alone, too. The good news is that I have had some success…and I’ll briefly share a few tips that have worked for me.
1. Pray. You do that I know. I prayed for God to give me people to talk with…then I wouldn’t feel so alone. And he did….from teen-aged girls to businessmen…all willing to chat with me or in the case of some teen gals…invite me to play a game with them. It’s great…it’s fun…and takes the focus off my fear….and maybe more importantly-off me. It’s amazing how God provides.
2. Praise. I also struggle with occasional panic attacks…generally when I’m over stressed and have not had enough rest. I recite scripture and praise God/the name of Jesus. Remember…God inhabits the praises of his people. Again…the focus is on him…not me.
3. Before I fly I use a homeopathic spray called Bach Rescue Remedy. I love this stuff…you can take it often…and it really does help calm the giant butterflies. I find it at my health food store or the health section of the natural foods section of my supermarket. It comes in a tiny yellow box. It’s a botanical remedy based on flowers that affect our moods/thinking. They even make one for pets…just in case Bauer decides to fly.
4. Trust God. I picture him holding the plane and guiding it. That visual picture is really helpful when the ride is bumpy.
Have I had turbulence? Bad to bumpy. Yes. I don’t like it one bit….but with new friends around….and calling on the Name of Jesus….and a spritz of the remedy…I am fine. And you dear Maggie…you will be too!!! Plus, you’ll have a band of Gussy Sews admirers praying for you….and that’s mighty powerful.
Hugs!
Diane
p.s. my dear friend allowed fear to stop her from going to Scotland this weekend to witness the double wedding ceremony of her twin nieces. Sad.
My son once had an episode on the tarmac as we were about to board the plane, it was bad, he was crying I was crying and I literally had to carry him onto the plane and thankfully they had individual screens and games and I strapped him in and he was fine. He had flown many times before but about 6 months before this trip he started to freak out about it. We did have some drugs for him but he didn’t want to take them till it was too late. We all made it safely and I think I was more shattered than he was. Amazingly he was fine on the way back – that may have been an answer to my prayers. I will be praying that you are ok too. Cheers Jane
Thank you for this post, sometime we feel like we are the only one feeling things like this.
[…] here with a few photos from my trip to California for Blog Sugar ~ but first I want to thank everyone that’s been praying for me. Yesterday morning I was a brave girl ~ I made it through my flight from Minneapolis to Los Angeles […]
Hope it went well!
[…] my big trip, before one of my longest flights in a long time, I shared on my blog how I felt like it was time to get over my fear. I was ready to not feel captive anymore. I know I’ve talked about this fear for a few weeks […]
Hi Amy,Just wanted to say that I own the Sibley Guide to Bird BEHAVOIR which is a great book bescaue it focuses on the behavior of the birds, what they are doing and why. The illustrations are fantastic of course as they are with the other Sibley bird book you posted here.Have a great day!