When fear takes hold...

​We have all experienced it -  the grip of fear.

​It may have taken hold of our heart and mind when we needed to travel alone or when we needed to speak to a group of people. 

It can be found as we find ourselves sitting in the surgery waiting area or examining the face of the doctor just before he gives us the results of our testing.   

The situations we experience may vary, but the anxiety and fear that overcomes us is something we all have reluctantly faced. 

On a flight to St. Louis, I observed a young man who seemed to fidget with his seat belt every minute or so.  He hung his head and adjusted his seat belt several times.  He leaned his head back, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  Then another. 

It was quite obvious to the older woman across the aisle that he was trying to calm himself.  His hands gripped the seat, his head leaning back, and his eyes were closed. 
 
As the plane gained speed down the runway the woman reached across the aisle and placed her hand on his arm to divert his attention from his obvious fear.  In a low voice she asked,  "Where are you headed?  What's your name?"       
​

She could have ignored this young man, but instead she chose to speak a few comforting words and try to take his mind off his obvious fear.   Throughout the flight they chatted and exchanged snapshots of their lives. 

The young man being griped by a fear of flying and the woman who was moved to help him to let go of his gripe were a blessing to each other in this moment of time.    

I'd like to imagine that if that were my son, my heart would surely be filled with thankfulness for her kindness.  Such small gestures can often be huge blessings. 

When the plane landed two hours later, he said, "I want to thank you for talking with me.  It was enjoyable and surely took my mind off the flight."   

This is a beautiful picture of outreach, a simple kindness that resulted in a moment of blessing. 
​
For most people, extending that simple gesture may not come easy. 
In the world we live in, most would just rather wear blinders and cut off those around them. 

Extending a kindness may often be interpreted as intruding on another persons space or result in a negative response from the very one our gesture is trying to help.

Yet the apostle Paul urged us to "be kind and compassionate to one another" reflecting a Christ-like demeanor.  Ephesians 4:32 

When we become a child of God, the Spirit of God comes and resides within us.  There is a transformation within that often compels us to reach out to others in the likeness of Christ. 

This compassion for others is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit  showing us how to walk in His steps in this life. 

Yes, my friend,  God is at work within and nothing pleases Him more than seeing us reaching  out across the aisle to touch the lives of others.  Sharing a few words of encouragement can have an impact on a life that was once griped with fear.   

Most importantly, the simple gesture may very well open the door to sharing the amazing love of Christ with someone. 

Make no mistake, God places certain people on our path for a purpose. Never miss a chance to be a small flicker of light in the life of someone.  You may be the only light they have at that moment. 

​Shine for Jesus! 
​

​Everyone is going through something...
 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2

God WILL place certain people on your path in life.
Will you notice when He does?
If you desire a real spiritual blessing in your Christian life,
don't miss the opportunity to be used in a special way in someone's life.

One of my own in flight experiences...  
I recall an older gentlemen who sat next to me on a flight to St. Louis.  We carried on the usual generic conversation.   
With purpose, I always carry booklets of faith in my purse. 
This time I had a booklet by Pastor Adrian Rogers called, "Weathering the Storms of Life."  I have read it many times, and completed it once again in about 20 minutes.

As I closed the booklet, the man next to me stated, "I like that title."   
​That prompted a conversation about life and struggles. 
It gave me the opportunity to tell him about how my faith has carried me through many dark times.  As the wheels of the plane made contact with the ground, I felt a bit sad that our conversation could not go deeper. 

I now heard the sound of seatbelts being released and people were preparing to head their separate ways. As I stood up I turned to him and  handed him the booklet.
  "I would like for you to have this. 
It has been a blessing to me and I would like to pass it on to you."   
His face beamed and my heart glowed.   

​I knew God had given me that assignment that day and it was a blessing to me to be able to leave that man with something that I knew could change his life.  I hope that one day we will meet again at a heavenly destination. 

Like me, I hope he has read that booklet many times and has passed it on to another. 
Most of all, I pray that as he read the last page and he has truly came to know Christ as his Savior... then one day we will surely meet again.   :)