Emotions

I have GOT to get off this plane-right NOW! That, of course, was impossible. The pilot had announced we were cruising at an altitude of more than 35,000 feet. There was no getting off-at least, not for a while. But it didn't matter. My body was in full crisis mode. My heart pounded. I couldn't catch my breath. I looked at the emergency exit and began to contemplate my options. I wonder if I can get that door open. I need to get air. I HAVE TO GET OUT!...
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I have GOT to get off this plane-right NOW!

That, of course, was impossible. The pilot had announced we were cruising at an altitude of more than 35,000 feet. There was no getting off-at least, not for a while.

But it didn't matter. My body was in full crisis mode. My heart pounded. I couldn't catch my breath. I looked at the emergency exit and began to contemplate my options. I wonder if I can get that door open. I need to get air. I HAVE TO GET OUT!

I pushed the button for the flight attendant. She found a doctor on board, who sat with me and asked me what was wrong.

I told him I was experiencing an overwhelming feeling of being trapped and that I needed to get off the plane. He said, "Well, you know you can't."

I responded, "Yes sir, I know I can't. But the desire is absolutely overpowering." As we talked, I admitted to him that I was going through a very trying time. He encouraged me, and the panic began to subside. It has been more than twenty years since that experience, but it taught me something very important: For us to overcome our fears, it is crucial we unearth where they originate from, which then shows us what thoughts trigger them.

Once the doctor identified the difficult circumstances I was facing as triggering my emotions, I was able to give the situation to God fully and counteract my apprehensions with truth from His Word.

-Excerpt from chapter 5