Many people deal with fear of heights and are afraid to fly. Explaining that flying is actually safer than getting into a car does not seem to help. Many more fatalities occur each year due to automobile accidents than airplane crashes. In fact, airplane travel is actually one of the safest modes of transportation available. This, however, does not seem to deal with the fear of flying and of heights.

     You say want to get on an airplane without the feeling of fear. If you are waiting to board a plane without the feeling of fear you might not ever get on board! At times, the only way to confront and defeat a chronic fear is to overcome it by doing the thing we fear regardless of emotions at the time.

     I do want to clarify one thing: Natural fear is not always a bad thing. Fear is a natural response to danger. It is a healthy fear that keeps us from running out into the street without looking both ways. It is a healthy fear that keeps us from touching a hot stove or pan. Fear becomes unhealthy, however, when it controls us and keeps us from doing positive things in our lives, such as flying or entering into social situations where we may feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, negative and unhealthy fear comes from Satan. It is a paralyzing fear that keeps us bound and keeps us from experiencing freedom. God has not given us such a spirit of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 states:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

The bible reveals to us the root of all fear.

Hebrews 2:14:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In the above verses we actually see what is at the root of all fears. It is the root fear of death. The fear of death holds people in bondage. Jesus came and destroyed the devil, who had the power of death. He came to deliver people from the FEAR of death. This fear of death is what holds people in bondage their whole life.

These are powerful verses to meditate on and to confess over your situation with flying. If you are born again and know God, you not only can be free but also you have the right to be free from the fear of death. Many people are subconsciously afraid to die because of the fear of eternal judgment. If you have received Christ as Savior you have no need to fear judgment any longer. Furthermore, death for the believer simply ushers us into the presence of the Lord where there is fullness of joy.

In John 5:24, Jesus said:

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.

Jesus often told people “Fear not.” I do not believe Jesus was telling people not to feel fear. There is a difference between being controlled by fear and just feeling afraid. The difference between the two could be compared to the difference between temptation to sin and sin. The bible says not to sin, but it does not say do not feel temptation to sin. Feeling temptation is not a sin. The sin is acting upon the temptation. You will know that fear is controlling you if feelings of fear begin to dictate your actions and actually stop you from doing things you desire and need to do. At that point, fear has become bondage. I cannot tell if your feelings of fear have actually prevented you from choosing to fly or if you simply feel fear while you fly. Fear grows when we meditate on negative thoughts, worrying about what could go wrong or about potential harm. For that reason it is important to keep your mind stayed on God and His Word.

Isaiah 26:3 encourages us with the following:

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

You cannot be a peace and be in fear at the same time. I would take my Bible on the plane with me and meditate on the Word while on the plane. You also have authority in Christ to resist fear and it will leave.

James 4:7 states:

So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Luke 10:19:

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

     As a believer in Jesus Christ, you have authority to command Satan and evil spirits to leave you. You have authority over all the works of the enemy including fear. I encourage you to mediate on the promises of God in the verses I’ve shared and take authority over fear, commanding it to leave you, in Jesus’ name. Ask God for any other specific scriptures He wants you to mediate on before you fly and while you are flying.

     Finally, remember that the feeling of fear is not sin or even wrong. It becomes a problem when we are controlled by it and cannot do what God asks us to do or when it keeps us from being free. Many times the feeling of fear will only leave after we step out and do what God wants us to do no matter how we feel. We need to do it afraid! When you act contrary to the fear you are feeling it is an act of faith in God and active resistance to Satan. You can expect freedom to come and the fear to leave!

Peaceful flying!

Rick McFarland
Director/Singles Director
Grace Church