Let Your Fears Take Flight
Submitted to Good News Christian Magazine 02.02.21
Fear and anxiety can strip away all of your joy and happiness. It can take away your freedom and leave you feeling dependent on others. It makes you feel like you are not enough or worthy.
As a commercial drone pilot, I am ashamed to share this story, but I know it is beneficial for others to hear. My position at work allows me to attend drone events to share my company's online school with those, like myself, who are working to become Part-107 certified pilots. I love to fly drones and capture the beauty of our earth from an aerial perspective. In the year that I have had my certificate, I’ve never flown a full mission by myself, meaning someone else always sets up the apps, gets things charged and ready for me, so all I have to do is fly.
I am now solo most of the time and have wanted to fly. This past week I had a friend in town who was willing to tag along so, I thought, “The time is now. I can do this”.
However, I let fear and anxiety take over. The excuses I gave myself were everything from ‘the weather does not look great to ‘there are problems with the i-pad.' I made myself so nervous and unsure that I did not get to fly. Thankfully, before leaving, my friend shared some very encouraging words that would later ignite a fire within me to try again.
The following day I responded to my shortcomings in the worst way; I laid in bed, covered my head, and accepted my defeat. I was so disappointed in myself. I knew I had it in me to do this on my own, but I could not find the courage.
Then as I was lying in bed, I was reminded of the encouragement from my friend. We spent most of the week exploring the outdoors with adventurous hikes, during which she said, “It sparks your freedom to be out here in nature with no one telling you what you can or can’t do”. She was so right. Out there in nature, you can be yourself! It’s a place where you can own who you are and the abilities you hold.
“God did not give us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
I jumped up, got dressed, packed up the drone, and headed out the door. I arrived at the location where the park ranger confirmed my permission to fly and began unloading my equipment. I carefully went through my setup and safety steps. The time had come for taking off. I was in the beautiful Red Rock Canyon all by myself, and I was determined to dominate that flight.
I did it! It was so liberating to push my fears to the side.
The devil is hard at work trying to make us feel like our own worst enemies. But our God is stronger, and we can do all things through Him who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13)
God is encouraging and pushing us to acknowledge who we are in Him! Kick your fears and shortcomings to the curb and embrace your abilities. Mistakes might happen, but you will learn and grow from them. You will never know what might happen in life if you never let your fears take flight!
