“Be not afraid of sudden fear” (Proverbs 3:25).

The plane was nearly full as we headed out of Cleveland that day. Turning the 737 onto the runway, the engines roared as faster we rolled and soon were lifting off, banking left and heading out over Lake Erie. To my amazement, the elderly lady sitting next to me grabbed my arm and loudly announced to me, “I’m afraid. I’m afraid.” For the next several minutes she was in sheer terror clinging to my arm. When our turn was complete, and we headed back over land, she said “There. I feel much better now. If we crash, it will be fine. When we were over the water, if we crashed, I can’t swim!” Bless her heart, if we crashed over land or crashed over water, it wouldn’t make much difference. Secretly I smiled to myself. Come to think of it, some people live their lives with such irrational fear. They are afraid that maybe something dreadful or terrifying might come someday, and they miss out on the peace and contentment of trusting Him.

For today: Trust in the Lord today. Don’t let the possibilities of “maybe” rob you of the joys of reality.