By Jerusha Agen
When people tell me they’re afraid to fly, I can easily diagnosis their fear and its cause. As most of them will admit, they dislike and fear flying because they have a hard time trusting the pilot. They’d rather be in a car that they’re driving.
They want to be in control.
But I’ve never minded flying. At least, the part of actually being on the plane, taking off, flying to a destination, and so on. I can easily identify that being afraid because I’m not the one flying the plane would be irrational. After all, I could die just as easily if I were in a car I was driving myself. (In fact, I’d be statistically much more likely to die in a car!)
Have you noticed how easier it is to address and excuse the fears of others’ than your own? In typical fashion for us human beings, I’m much slower to recognize and diagnosis my own fear.
Whenever I do fly through airports, I spend that entire day filled with anxiety. No, I’m not afraid of flying, but air travel is still extremely stressful for me.
First, there’s the worry about packing everything I need and not forgetting anything. Then, there’s the concern about arriving at the airport early enough to check-in and get through security.
Next, fear plagues me as I wait in the TSA line—will I be picked for a random, invasive, and humiliating search? Will they reject my carry-on because of some prohibited item I didn’t realize I’d packed? Will security take too long, and I’ll miss my flight?
Once through security, I need to find my gate. Will I have time to reach it before boarding? Time to use the restroom first or grab food?
The list of my potential worries related to air travel goes on and on.
And, yet, I’m fine on the plane. I don’t fear the flight itself. I’ve examined this odd dichotomy that I seem to have, trying to figure it out.
I think that rising into the sky itself, up above clouds and reaching unearthly, unexplored territory in a floating contraption that somehow rides on air I can’t see makes me acutely aware of how out of control I am.
More than that, I’m up near the heavens in an airplane. It feels like I’m undeniably in God’s territory. How could I not, then, realize my own finite and limited abilities and rest in His control over my airborne fate?
But clearly, I’m forgetting something when I give in to anxiety when I’m still on the ground, navigating the logistics of successful air travel.
I’m forgetting that everywhere is God’s territory.
Rising Danger
This is a lesson Bristol Bachmann, the heroine of my new suspense novel Rising Danger, has to learn, too. As a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, Bristol has tasted the danger of things she can’t control. Her response is to try to control everything in her life.
As a bomb technician and handler of an explosives detection K-9, Bristol faces danger every day. But it’s a risk she believes she can control because she knows how to find and disarm a bomb. She’s in her element with bombs—that’s her territory, the part of her life she can control.
But the reality she encounters in the story is one we all encounter in our lives, sooner or later, if not every day.
We are not in control of anything that happens in our lives. Even in our comfort of driving a car versus flying on a plane, we’re kidding ourselves. We’re no more in control of our own car than we are the hundreds or thousands of other vehicles we’ll encounter as we drive—all of which could cause an accident that could lead to our injury or death.
But the surprising twist to this reality is that, rather than having more fear if we accept that we’re not in control, the key to fearlessness is embracing this truth.
It’s good—no, wonderful—news that I’m not in control. Because the One Who is in control of everything is God Himself. He’s omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and perfect. And He is good, all the time, in every way.
We cannot travel out of His territory or get too far away for Him to be in control, even if we pierce the heavens in a soaring airplane.
Whether land, sea, sky or the far reaches of outer space—whether in good times or horrific tragedy—we can be fearless as our illusion of control shatters around us.
Relinquishing that fabricated comfort frees us to live with indestructible peace. Because only then can we rest in the glorious reality that we are in the hands of our loving Father and almighty God Who is in control and will do all things for the good of those Who love Him.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed Rising Danger for so many reasons.
- First, it is my favourite genre to read and write: inspirational romantic suspense.
- Second, the danger of explosives destroying the dams threatened to unleash one of my favourite conflicts – man-against-nature (in this case – water). I adore water-related plots! (No, I don’t know why, lol.)
- Third, there is plenty of man-against-man conflict and man-against-self to keep you flipping the pages long into the night. Every time I’d planned to stop reading at the end of the chapter, the hook had me turning the page. (I blame Jerusha for the dark circles under my eyes!).
Not only does Rising Danger deliver on genre expectations, but it also contains a beautiful spiritual thread to the story. It’s refreshing to find a fictional author who shares my desire to “do all things for the glory of God” and “show nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” That ranks Rising Danger as top shelf in my books.
Contest announcement!
When are you most aware you’re not in control? Do you battle anxiety or other forms of fear when things are out of your control? Please share (and see contest rules below).
*Contest open to USA residents only.
Commenters located in the USA will be entered into a draw for a signed copy of Rising Danger. The winner will be chosen by random draw on August 5th and notified via the email address connected to your comment. You must note your country of residence in your comment and answer the question to be entered.
About Jerusha
Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.
Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.
Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.
WEBSITE: http://www.JerushaAgen.com
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Thanks for the chance to win! I think I’m most aware I’m not in control when I have stress going on in my life being caused by others. It reminds me I can’t control people I can own control myself. I’m in the U.S.A.
Stress caused by others is a great definition of feeling out of control. I totally understand that feeling. Thank the Lord that it is never out of His control. Good luck in the contest!
Oh, I know that feeling well, Megan! Yes, dealing with other people certainly can make us feel out of control, especially when it seems like they aren’t being reasonable or are unwilling to change. I love that reminder that we can, however, control our own responses and actions. Thanks for commenting!
Do you battle anxiety or other forms of fear when things are out of your control? I do, especially for my children – when they get sick, when they start driving, when they are out there…somewhere. Here comes the TRUST in the Lord part <3 Sometimes, we all need a reminder!
Our daughter just started driving – wow – that opened a whole new spot of fear that needs to submit to God.
My husband is in the hospital waiting for open heart surgery which had to be postponed because his blood pressure is too high. Our car conked out and has to habe major repairs. To say I’m stressed out is putting it mildly.
I’m so sorry to hear that! I truly hope the surgery went well.
Wow, you’re going through a lot of stressful things, Gail! I’ll pray for you and your husband and that God would grant you peace and unshakable faith during this time.
Hi, Natalya! It’s SO hard not to worry about our loved ones! I totally understand that struggle. But, yes, trust in the Lord is the solution!
This sounds like a fun book! I live in the U.S.
I really enjoyed it!
Thanks, Melissa!
Your book sounds really good. I know I am not in control when my adult children go through difficult things and I can’t do anything physically to help.
Our oldest is 17, and we are starting to experience some of that. Feeling helpless is awful, but sometimes all I can offer is a hug and prayer.
That’s such a hard thing, Lisa. I’ve been in that position, too, where I can’t physically help a loved one. So difficult. I have to remind myself in those situations that God can and will help, and that it’s better that He’s in control.
I struggle with fear of the unknown and in new situations where I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Giving that control over to Christ is something He’s been teaching me for awhile now. 😀
Elizabeth
(Maryland, USA)
Yes – I’ve been learning the same lesson. God is so gracious and gentle with us.
Ooh, I know that fear well, Elizabeth! That’s awesome God has been teaching you in that area, though. Me, too. It will get better with His help!
When I or family members battle health conditions.
Yes, that is so hard.
Health problems can be so scary! I’m thankful God is in control of those, too.
Rising Danger sounds like a very good book. I do tend to have anxiety when things are out of my control. I am trying to learn to trust God for the outcome.
I pray it gets easier and easier as you continue to seek Him in those moments.
Thanks, Stella. Trusting God is truly the key to victory over our anxiety! Keep finding the good fight.
Congratulations on your book! I experience anxiety when traveling by bus or plane. I prefer road trips, so I can stop to stretch my legs, etc whenever I want 🙂
It’s is much nicer to travel when we can set our schedule. I agree!
Thanks, Antoinette! I love the freedom in driving, too.
Sounds like an amazing read.
Good luck and God’s blessings with it.
PamT
So glad you like the sound of Rising Danger, Pamela! Thanks!
Thanks for your encouraging words for Jerusha, Pam!
Thanks for hosting me on the blog, Stacey! And thank you for this fabulous review! So glad you enjoyed Rising Danger.
Thanks for visiting and sharing your heart and love for the Lord.
Congratulations on your latest release, Jerusha. Thank you for the encouraging post.
Thanks, Barb! So glad it was encouraging!
I am most aware I’m not in control as soon as I leave the house…and drive amongst the crazy drivers. Impatience, cell phones, etc. have made the roads an interesting place. 😜 I’m not anxious about it; in fact I love driving. It just seems more of an adventure than even 5 years ago. Thank you for sharing your review. I’m very much looking forward to reading this book!! 😍📚 USA
During Covid, the streets were so quiet. That was when our daughter was learning to drive. Now, her eyes have been opened to how busy our city actually is. Driving now is an entirely different experience.
I know the feeling, Becky! It does seem like driving is getting more treacherous all the time, but I’m glad to hear it doesn’t make you anxious!
I always enjoy Jerusha’s posts when she visits the blog!
Thanks, Stacey! It’s great to be here!