Posted by BY J E SOLOMON
A heavy snow storm was predicted for today, Thursday, February 13, 2014 in the northeastern coast of America. And just days prior to today, some people were imagining the worst likely conditions to be experienced and were already worried and scared stiff of a storm with terrible catastrophic outcomes.
That was clearly the fear of something existing only in the mind. It’s a terrible kind of feeling to allow one’s self into. Our minds can play tricks with us and we need to be mindful of the capacity of the mind to inflict pain and despair in us even when there’s no real danger.
I remember an incident six years ago. I was on a transit flight from Amsterdam bound for Accra, Ghana. Most of the passengers had hand bags and pull-bags that weighed far too much, besides their extra hand bags that normally would have been glossed over, but not on that day. The airline authorities decided to restrict carry-on luggage unto the plane and some of the luggage were even redirected to avoid flight overweight. My pull-bag was taken and treated as unaccompanied luggage leaving me with only my hand bag.
Even with the timely restrictions, the plane was jam packed. I couldn’t find a space in the overhead compartment for my hand bag, which I put under the seat. It became evident to me during the take-off that the plane was too heavy. I sat by the window and God, for some time it felt like the plane wasn’t going to go up into the sky. It was quite unlike any take-off experience I had had and it was very scary. Suddenly the plane appeared to rock and shake. I saw the look on the face of one of the flight attendants and it didn’t seem okay enough. It was one of panic, if not despair. I shivered, yes I did, and my mind started creating images of what could be the only outcome – imminent death through burning.
I realized there was nothing I could do under the circumstance. I had virtually no control of the situation. Thoughts of my immediate family flashed into my mind and I began to feel sorry for them, not really for myself. After all they would be the ones to bear the shock and agony of a tragedy. They would likely have to live with prolonged heartbreaks in the event of my untimely death, not me. I would be gone.
I took one quick look down through the window and it still was scary the way the plane appeared unlikely to glide higher up. Then the mind came with its own tricks and dictates, “Hey man, soon you’ll be gone. Pray for your loved ones; bless them before it happens.” At that point, I just closed my eyes and tried to rest in the silence, turning my attention on the spirit within as I waited for whatever was to come next. Somehow, I found myself smiling and trying to be cheerful even in the face of a looming threat of death. I reasoned it was no use dying with the looks of sorrow and pain on my face. Who wants to go to Heaven (or Hell) with looks of pain and sadness? You better wear a smile, at least, to make your soul feel good instead of a bitter-looking, stress clad face.
In times of imminent danger and especially when you have no control over what can happen, the best thing to do is to think on Christ Jesus’ words, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Romans 12:2). That’s the key. Think positively, and think heavenly thoughts even if you don’t believe yourself to be Heaven bound in case you should die. You have all to gain, and nothing to lose by doing just that.
Copyright ©2014: John E Solomon. All rights reserved