As I write this I am on a plane flying home from being out of town.
While sitting here looking out the window, I started to remember how I used to be such a white-knuckled flier. Any change in a noise, little bump, turn, or anything else unexpected used to make my heart jump into my throat. My heart would start to pound, I would start to sweat, and I would hold onto the arm rests so tightly you would have thought that I would have broken them off.
I would be so worked up about flying that sometimes I wouldn’t calm down until the day after the flight. Now that I look back, this is a funny story, but one night after flying I was at my father’s house in Florida. The central air conditioning unit was outside the window of the bedroom I was sleeping in. On the night that I had arrived I was sleeping as the air conditioning unit ran. In the middle of the night the unit turned off and I jumped out of bed in a sweat thinking I was still on the plane and the engines had just quit.
I don’t know when I started to get like this because I used to fly as a child and really liked it.
I became so afraid of flying that I would try to find any reason not to. I would drive for hours to get somewhere so I didn’t have to fly. But eventually I couldn’t avoid flying anymore – business demanded it.
One day I had to fly to Chicago. The trip there was torture. I got there but then I still had to get back home. The whole time I was there all I worried about was the flight back home.
However, on the flight home something happened that changed my life.
While we were flying back to Hartford, I put on my walkman (that’s what they were called back then). I started listening to some really nice smooth jazz. While I was listening, we began to fly through some big, puffy clouds that looked like huge cotton balls. As we flew, the sun was starting to set and the clouds turned the most beautiful colors I had ever seen: pinks, blues, oranges yellows, and purples – all of different shades.
I had never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.
At that moment, between the beautiful music and the colors of the clouds, I felt like I was in heaven. As a matter of fact, I knew God was sitting right there with me looking out at this unbelievable sight. And, at that moment he took away all of my anxiety about flying.
Since that day, I have flown more times that I can count. I know God healed me that day because I have never been anxious flying since. Now, I just get on a plane and go.
I am astounded at how God knew just what I needed and how He brought it to me. The change was so immediate and dramatic that there is no explanation in my mind other than God’s intervention.
I went through some very difficult times before then. I have often wondered why did God have me go through such horrible anxiety before He helped me? Why would He let me suffer so much?
As I look back on it, I believe that if God did not allow me suffering, I would never have known the greatness of His tenderness when He took the anxiety away.
It is the experience of struggling and seeing the low points in our lives that makes us truly appreciate when he brings us to the high points.
So as we go through the low points in our lives and face what may seem to be insurmountable difficulties, always remember that God IS with us and WILL bring us out of the darkness. It is our job not to give into the darkness or lose faith while we wait for Him to find the right time to act.
Share with us: Has there ever been a moment when God changed your life?
Thanks for being part of The Whisper of God community. – Elmer Laydon
Glad I read your article. I fly a lot and everytime I think is the last time. You would think I should be used to it by now. After reading your testimony I think I will no fear any more. Thanks for your encouraging words.
What a great story for anyone who wonder why God has allows tragedies, & other bad things into our lives. Thank you for telling what God did for you. It was very uplifting for me. I too have had fear in my life, but in retrospect each fear disappeared one by one because of my Father. I also know, He brought me here today so that I could read your story. One last word, I too had a fear of flying. Thank you again for sharing.
Nada sucede por casualidad, Dios conoce tu necesida y si le entregas tu corazon el toma el control de tu vida y de tu familia, Dios te ama, cuando el permite que haya algun tropiezo es para que podamos crecer en fe, AMA A DIOS CON TODO TU CORAZON ASI COMO EL TE AMA A TI, QUE DIOS SEA EN TU VIDA TAN IMPORTANTE COMO TU ERES PARA EL. FE SIGNIFICA CONFIANZA, SEGURIDAD, FE NO TIENE TERMINOS MEDIOS, LA FE NUNCA DUDA. MI ALMA TE ALABA DIOS ALELUYA.
I understand the fear of flying…but I also understand or have experience when God changes me. It is simple yet remarkable. I use to look for God to change things by way of something big happening…It doesn’t seem to happen like that. It just happens and you just know.
Thank you for sharing this story and I thank God for being God…
What a great story!!! I can relate to the change being so dramatic and immediate that the only answer is it came from God!!!! I had a similar experience where the change was so dramatic and immediate,,,,I knew without a doubt that it was God working in my life!!!! whenever i have moments of doubt,,,I try to think back on that moment from God!
i still have a fear of flying, along with many other fears.
Thankyou for your testimony. I also have a terrible fear of flying,I’ll think of your story when I fly to Greece this summer.Thankyou
My son got marry last may i was had a fear of flying .So I miss his wedding when his baby was beingborn in july, I decide to Let God handle this flying. The Morning I arriveed at the airport I was confident God got my back. when the plane took off it was beautiful the clouds was beautiful and peace in the cloud too I also thought this is what heaven entrancemust look like but what peace. when the planelanded my fear of flying was gone I know God did this and he will make all things possible
There may be no more sacred moment as that when God’s grace embraces you. The one moment where you turn it all to God and let him do his will. In that moment where you surrender your fears and anxieties, you are released. God awaits for you to trust in him.
Honestly, God led me to this page. My fear is not of physical flying, but flying on the wings of God through fiery court trials trying to keep my young son & I safe. I have and sometimes feel just the same… Trying to hear and feel God’s Spirit in the midst of a courthouse where it is filled with dark spirits and the oppression in quite heavy is very scary. The other night God came to me in a dream on the Sabbath that was quite real and I was in a room where my and my son’s assailants were, I was hiding under the covers (like my son does) from them. I asked myself why I was afraid and decided that I had no reason to be afraid and got up, God led me to another room and showed me my fear, I picked it up and shook it and asked God what I was to do with it, He said to speak His Holy Words to it and when I started I was filled with a white hot (good burning – Like a bright and good deep cleansing) and was lifted up and yes I was awake and on my feet at this time. Thank you Heavenly Father for showing me that You are with us and how to fight our fear through you. For God have not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I don’t fear flying, in fact I greatly enjoy it. However, I suffer from shyness. Recently, God called me to a minor leadership position in my city. I desperately searched for the person who would step forward, then realized I was that person. Every day I’m humbled by my lack of knowledge and experience, but God opens doors for relationships with very supportive people and leads me to challenging learning opportunities.
Thank you Elmer! Yes, this helps…at the moment I am feeling trapped @ where my life is & frusterated because my life seems so out of my control! Yes, this is all pointing me to the question of whether I have really given all of me to Him…even my moments & desires?! It was good to hear of how God took away your anxieties! Walking thru each day with Praise & Thanksgiving has been my directive from God & I’m at times quiet ashamed with how far short I fall! Then I hear Him remind me that He condems not & I again realize who has been whispering, & am reminded of how necessary it is to fight fear/anxiety like a plague! I am so glad He is strong
Yes there was a time. I had been a seriously hardcore alcoholic drinker fo many years. 25 to be exact and was destructive and dieing inside and out and when going to AA meetings I finally gave in and got on my knees and asked God to take away my desire to drink it happened. BEFORE THIS i had seen many beautiful things. I lived in the Redwoods and at the grand canyon as well as all over Europe. But none of those beautiful things in Gods universe compare to this happening. My life has been forever changed because inside I have changed! God is Love and loves all of his creation. ESPECIALLY THE SO CALLED MOST LOWLY BUM ON THE STREET. In oor culture today we are taught to look down on others not so fortunate, but I have learned that all people are Gods creation and who am I to judge even 1 of them. I must continue daily to meditate and pray, but it is not a burden it is a joy. I am truly gifted to have this life and it has gotten better and better every day since that day 5 years ago. I am not complaining about the previous 41 years. There were good times, but nothing like this!
my story is not about flying, but an instant change in ot savedmy life by god. i was a smoker i tryed countless times to quit , i was going to church, the night i got saved, i still had ciggrets in my purse like always soon as church let out iwould lite up. onthe way home i ask gods forgiveness. i felt i could not serve god and smoke i was so stressed. i had ciggretts left, all at once i got the urge. to desrroy the pack. i held them tward heaven and said please god i cat do this alone, i need your help.. alf then threw the pack in the garbage. thats been 2 and half years ago. praise god im still smoke free. god took the urge away.
Over the past 6 yrs I know God has done great things in my life my faith for him grows stronger with him (even though sometimes I do not understand why). He is such a wonderous being in my heart. I can look at his sunrises, sunsets, the portraits he places in my mind and heart is so uplifting that I know he has always been there and will always be. I believe God has great things to come for each and everyone who excepts him as their savor. It is such an easy thing to do and the rewards are so undescribable.
I found your posting tonight and it was like God was giving me a gift, I have been fearful for so long as my husband has severe asthma, today he had another attack and I prayed for my fear and anixiety to be taken away, we made it through this ordeal and with the grace of god we will manage this illness and see the joy life has to offer. Thank you for this post and all the ones I read on FB.
Fear of failure has been my albatross all my life. To step out in faith, knowing that “The will of God will not take you anywhere where the grace of God will not cover you” is now my mantra as I serve Him everyday.
Great stories… Continue to have faith,and keep giving your life to God…Accept Jesus as your savior and you will have what you ask for!!!!!! God bless you all
You are so correct, God is always w us. And he will help us through tough times
This is soooo beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. It is a nice reminder of the tender mercies of God and the way He can handle our difficulties.
Amazing how God is always “right on time!” I really needed to read this. I at times suffer from anxitey and keep myself from experiencing life to the fullest as God has intended me to. I am trying to get over the heartache of losing the man I love to another woman and for a moment allowed the enemy trick me into believing it was something I had done wrong, therefore causing this anxiety to interact with people, convinced something must be wrong with me. ALL LIES!! I am a people person…God’s Gift…and I pray that I be strengthened each day with boldness to keep sharing HIS Truths & Promises. Thank you for sharing your story. May God continue to Bless & Prosper you…IN JESUS’ NAME!
Thank you for that story. I have a fear of flying and for Years my mother has been trying to get to fly to her “home” in England, where she grew up, but I wouldn’t think of it. Now I think I am ready to give it A try. I just hope I am not too late as she is 84. I pray God’s blessings on you as you do His work for His glory.
I used to be one of those white knuckled fliers. Then one day a friend and I were talking about flying and how anxious we both were before and during the flight. My knees would actually feel like rubber as I walked up the ramp to board the plane. Many times I had tears in my eyes and could barely see the entrance where the steward greeted everyone as they boarded the plane. A friend told me one that he was extremely anxious and was afraid that the plane would crash with him on it. He said that God told him while he was on the plane that he (God) didn’t have to take the whole plane out just to get to him. Ever since that day, I am able to enjoy flying without worry or having an anxiety attack. Now, I think of what my friend said and silently chuckle.
Elmer thank you for your beautiful story. Iam the opposite, I love to to fly.When I was a kid and flew on a plane i always thought that I was closer to God because I was so high up in the sky.
It is fitting that I read your article today. I just got home a few hours ago from the ER where I spent 11 hours with my life flashing before my eyes! I went in for what I thought was a simple headache and sinus infection causing me to be unsteady on my feet. Well, immediately the doctor thought it could be a heart attack or heart problem. An IV was started, I was given 4 chewable baby aspirins, and hooked up to a heart monitor, given a nitro patch and an ekg, plus given a check CT, and ALOT of blood work. After an hour or so the doctor came back and told me that the heart problem was negative, but that my D-Dimer test for blood clots was elevated and that my platelet count was elevated as well, so they had to rule out blood clots. He ordered a ultrasound of both legs from thigh to ankle, a chest xray, some test that required 4 pics then me inhaling radiation and then four more pics using radioactive dye. Then he ordered a shot of blood thinners in my stomach and finally after 11 hours it was determined that I have no blood clots at this time, however that is a concern for the future. He thinks my diagnosis of Lobular Carcinoma in Situ and Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia from April 2008, may have caused the elevation level in the test. My thyroid is also high so that is something the doctor will address in the recheck on Monday. I was so scared thinking I would die and never see my grand kids again and it was like a wake up call from God telling me that I need to change my eating habits, lose some weight and also get an exercize program going so I dont have to go through that ever again. Your story was awesome and an inspiration to me.
I am only 49 years old.
I also have a fear of flying and other anxieties. Thanks to all those who shared their stories. I have been able to do some things with the help of God through prayer. I know He will see me through this, but I have to trust him completely. I request prayer. Thanks
Reminds me so much of the Serenity Prayer and The Footprints in the sand. I so appreciate The Whisper. God Bless Stu
I too have a terrible fear of flying. It is so bad that for weeks before I am all tensed up and depressed so the only solution is not to fly. I wish I could get rid of this fear and reading Elmer’s testimony was wonderful but I am still afraid. My husband passed away last year and he loved flying, but he liked small planes. Iwent up once and that was enough for me. My daughter lives in N.C. and I manage to visit her by driving down with my granddaughter and her family. I do believe in God and have faith in Him. In fact, He brought me through the death of my hustand in 2009 and my son in 2010. I never thought I would be able to handle something like this but thanks to Him, I did.
this so beautiful thanks for sharing, i’m scared of fling too, i’ve been struggling financially lately , I feel God has brought me to this new business oportunity that I have just came across I hope I don’t fail him
I also have a fear of going over bridges and other anxieties. when it rains it’s harder for me cross I have to take another route, I don’t understand it. I went Skydiving and had no problem, I felt at peace. I will not give up hope there must be something God wants me to do.
LOVE IT!
I just want you to know that I do not have a fear of flying. For whatever reason God lifted this anxious soul above that. I believe that He sees the anxiety level over imagined events, knowing what my reactions would be lets me sore above the obvious. I just wanted to let you know that your testimony about anxiety truely parallels other major areas where one might be struggling in their own imagined darkness, fear, turmoil within their mind, spirit, and emotions..Remembering the Victory ahead makes us stronger when the challenge is at hand. Thank You always for your motivational and inspiring words. Have a Blessed Day!!
It is not the flying, it is the fear, the fear of self, the fear of advancement, the fear of the dark. . . . We must experience it to know that God is in the mist. We as people can relate to something we have felt. . . .Praise God that he healed you of your fear of flying, Praise Him again that you know the difference. . . .
Thanks for sharing this experience. I have the same anxiety about flying and, like you, I didn’t start experiencing it until I was older. It seems the last 4 flights I have been on, have been extrememly bumpy, flying through a thunderstorm, and I was so fearful during the entire flight.
I need to fly to Chicago this year, as two of my closest friends have moved there from here in TX.
I have read your article twice, and will continue to do so. I think it is already working.
Thank you again
Ann
after many years of darkness, God gave me a miracle and changed my life. that was 5 years ago. but the financial worries and a very stressful family, are draining the joy and light out of me once again. i feel like i am slipping back into the darkness and i don;t know why God would put me there again. i read the bible now and then, i pray all the time, and i read a lot of spiritual material. i consider myself a good person. i feel that God left me once again, and thats the only thing i fear.
God’s creation has given me much peace during times of trouble. When you look at what he has created, and for our enjoyment, it takes on new shades and brightness. It makes you know what a big God we have and that we can trust in him. Right now I am sitting in a hospital housing facility because my grandson was ganged and hit in the head with a bat. We are waiting and trusting in God. Even though the weather is kind of dreary I can still see the beauty of God in the water on the leaves and the little miracles.
Thank you Elmer for sharing this wonderful experience with us. The first time I flew in a plane was as an adult. It was alittle frightning, but I also enjoyed the beauty around me. My fear has been more with me dreaming, that I was flying. Not in a plane, but actually flying like a bird, lol. I started having these dreams as a young girl. I guess from being so active, running, bike riding, rope jumping, etc. Now that I’m not able to, because of several health issues, I miss my flying dreams. Occasionally, I still have them and wake up so invigorated, exhausted but happy. It’s been funny to my friends & family, when I’ve described some of the dreams. The best 1 that I can remember so vividly is, me running & jumping, flapping my arms & taking off into the sky over the beach. There were alot of people there cheering me on, so I started doing some pretty amazing tricks. I was so happy feeling so free, going so fast. Then I wanted to land, that’s when the fear set in. I had no clue how I was going to be able to land… so I tried gliding down. Just then I woke up, with so many mixed emotions from being scared to thinking wow, that was so much fun. Now when I think about being raptured up to Jesus, I have no fear. I know that I will be given a pair of wings, so any future landings won’t be an issue….:)
I truly enjoyed this revelation, because I also feared flying for many years. Then a time came I had to fly and it was so beautiful in the clouds. As noted their are many trials we encounter every day and we must trust in the Lord to know what is right for us for He will never lead us as his loving children.
Mahalo nui loa, Thank you very much. Ponder why he permits things to happen to us ? It’s his way to strenghens us. I pondered one day about making him my “Joy and Delight” and I wondered how for I knew joy of love, joy of giving birth to your first child and joy of his comforts. He IS my joy! for when I discover what he has done instantly, theres the JOY, he is there! and when I find myself rolling with laughter as I realize this, theres the DELIGHT, he has just answered me how…..He is Awsome! Praise be to my Lord, my God for he lives……Amen.
l av so many fears esp. the fear of traveling by vehicles. pls pray for me
Thank you for this. I have only flown twice in my life that I remember (and once when I was newborn), but after my first experience with turbulence, each time boarding a plane was a terrifying experience. Can we say perpetual panic attack?
The bad thing is, I have anxiety and every day is lived that way. It shouldn’t be the case, because as a Christian I know that I should trust God to help me through and anxiety should have no place in my life.
I’ve fought through it several times before but it always seems to relapse stronger, and different, so that I feel as though I’m starting all over because it’s a new malady I’m afraid of. And I wonder why it does that, why God just doesn’t take it away, why I’ve suffered since I was 11 with it (I’m 24 now). But as you mentioned in the article, we do appreciate so much more when we’ve been in the darkness for a while, when God does get us through. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
GOD DO NOT CREATE HUMANKIND’S CALAMITIES,DIFFICULTIES,TRAGEDIES; UPON ACQUIRING ‘ORIGINAL SIN’,ACTING ON ‘FREE WILL’,HUMANITY BROUGHT IT TO THEMSELVES. ADAM & EVE,ALL OF US HAVE ‘FREE WILL’,’CAUSE GOD IS JUST…HE LOVINGLY REMINDED ADAM & EVE THAT THEY COULD HAVE ANTYTHING IN PARDISE,EXCEPT FOR THE ‘FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE’…BUT ADAM& EVE DISOBEYED GOD…..THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NOW WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING(EXCEPT FOR THE MOTHER OF GOD,BLESSED VIRGIN MARY…SHE WAS THE ONLY HUMAN BROUGHT TO HEAVEN THROUGH ASSUMPTION,’BODY&SOUL’….NOW THERE IS CALAMITY,DEATH,SICKNESS,MORTAL SINS COMMITTED…SATAN ALWAYS TEMPTING HUMANITY TO SIN SO IT CAN BRING AS MANY SOULS TO HELL AS HE CAN…..GOD CAN SEE ALL THESE,HE IS RESPECTING OUR FREE WILL TO CHOOSE,……………’THO HE IS ALWAYS HERE*FOREVER,WAITING FOR US TO ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS,HELP,LOVE & TO SAVE US FROM THE PANGS OF THE EVIL…..GOD EVEN SENT HIS JESUS GOD THE SON,SO WE WHO CHOOSE TO BE SAVED CAN BE W/ HIM IN HEAVEN….GOD THE SON WAS HUMILIATED,TORTURED,CRUCIFIED TIL HE DIED ON THE CROSS…THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO REDEEM US! THERE’S STILL GOOD HERE ON EARTH,GOD IS WAITING FOR THOSE WHO WANTS TO BE W/ HIM,GOD IS ‘THE ULTIMATE GOOD’,THE REASON HE IS HERE W/ US…SAVING US! AMEN!
I never used to be afraid to fly. My Dad is a Pilot and owns a small plane. My fear of death started, after I was sexually assaulted 7 years ago. I have come along way with God since then. I’m doing things I was afraid to do before with Gods help. But, I’m still afraid to fly. I have flown in my Dad’s plane with him 3 times this year. But, I still get so nervous and scared before and during the flight. I’m missing out on a lot of family fun because of my fear. I feel guilty because My husband loves to fly and I’m afraid. I have faith in God to get me threw this fear as He did the others. I needed to get this out. The other stories are very helpful!! God bless all of you 🙂
Thank you for this encouraging post. I have been blessed with a trip
in August. The problem is my fear of flying
I dnt know exactly when it started but it is horrible.
I tjink i fear losing control. Your post has given me hope.
Yes I have the fear of flying , trying to get better , hope that God will allow that to happen.