“From Crying to Flying” by Kelly Wilson Mize

From Crying to Flying: 

The Journey toward Trust

by Kelly Wilson Mize

“Ma’am are you ok?” The sweet young amusement park worker asked with genuine concern as my teenage children struggled to hold back amused giggles. At that moment, I was so terrified that huge tears were beginning to visibly roll down my sunburned face.

“Yes,” I half-squeaked, half-laughed. I was struggling to regain my composure, so embarrassed to be a forty-something mom who was THIS afraid of a roller coaster.

The young man carefully checked my safety belt. “Are you sure?” he coaxed, compassionately stalling to give me plenty of time to change my mind. I quickly shook my head up and down, laughing at myself for the ridiculousness of my tears.

You see, I desperately wanted, and needed, to ride that roller coaster for several reasons:

1. It was something I had to do, to prove to my kids that I was a cool and courageous mom.

2. I needed to prove to myself that I was a cool and courageous mom, and

3. I knew from past experience, that even with some significant pre-ride anxiety, I actually love riding roller coasters!

Well, maybe not true love. It’s more like a love-hate relationship. I love the feeling of freedom, flying through the air without a care in the world. But I hate the long, traumatic climb up that initial (and usually biggest) hill, and the painful sinking feeling as the car begins to drop that first time. After that, the experience almost always magically transforms into one of heartfelt JOY! I choose to endure the part that is difficult for me in order to get to fun part, the excitement. For me, a roller coaster ride is therapeutic: a 2.5-minute escape to a place where nothing is more important than the wind in my face and the thrill in my heart.

That particular roller coaster was called the “Wild Eagle.” Riders’ feet dangle freely as they soar through the air, mimicking the flight of the majestic bird for which it was named. It wasn’t the tallest or scariest roller coaster I’d ever ridden. But at the beginning, as I stood in line and was being buckled in, I didn’t know that! The actual ride was hidden from view, so I didn’t know what to expect. The fear of the unknown completely enveloped me. I prayed for physical safety (and I meant it!), “Dear Lord, please let us all make it safely off this contraption of doom!”

When I think about that day, I laugh. But I am also reminded of the beloved passage of scripture that compares our Christian walk with the flight of an eagle. Isaiah 40:31 says,

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (NLT)

There are many different translations of this verse and all have deep meaning. The above version says, “those who trust.” Other translations use the words “those who wait,” and “those who hope.”

Wait, trust, hope…in the unknown.  That’s hard stuff. We meticulously plan out our lives to the minute. We juggle schedules to fit everything in, document our commitments, and set alarms to remind us exactly what our days will look like. We like to know WHAT’S GOING ON.

But in life, we are buckled in on a ride where we don’t know what to expect. How steep is the climb? How many drops will there be? Will I go upside down? Will I be able to enjoy the view at the top when, and if, I finally reach it? Will the ride be worth the long wait in line and the scary first part? Will I cry?

God has proven to each one of us, time and again, that when we are able to trust Him with the unknown, something miraculous happens. No matter how tired, out-of-shape, burned out, beat down, ticked off, utterly discouraged and exhausted we are, we walk in Christ with a full measure of energy. We don’t just walk, we run. Even better yet, we fly like an eagle! Could there be anything more empowering than the ability to soar confidently and majestically through the air?

Eagles are beautiful, powerful, and courageous creatures. They are not afraid. They don’t experience fear in anticipation of their flight, but simply trust the resources and strength that God has given them. As believers, when we wait on God, when we trust in Him, when we hope in HIM, we are renewed. Not just once, but every day. Over and over again.

Only then, we are able to…

Face our fears.

Forgive.

Heal.

Get back up.

Walk in Faith.

Run at Full Speed.

Fly.

(… and ride a scary roller coaster without crying like a baby.)

Ultimately, I loved my ride on the Wild Eagle and went back for a second and third flight. After that first terrifying hill was climbed and descended, I laughed like a child, screaming in celebration of my triumph, arms up and trusting. I could hardly contain my exhilaration!

I’m pretty sure I’m still not a cool and courageous mom, but I intend to continue riding roller coasters as long as I am able.  Every time I ride a new one, I fully expect to be afraid at first. New, unknown experiences are scary. But the ride is almost always worth the fear that I have to face in the beginning. Because I know from past experience, that fear can and will be conquered.

The book of Isaiah tells us there is no weakness or weariness in waiting for God. There will be hard places, times we’ll be sick with fear, great highs and devastating lows. We can expect twists, turns, drops, reasons to scream in terror, and occasions to shout with joy. But amidst the insecurity of the unknown, God has a beautiful and unique adventure in store for each of us.

Are you afraid? Are you tired? Are you frustrated, discouraged, and angry? Wait, trust, and hope in the only One who can give you the strength to walk, run, and even soar through a clear blue sky. Let go. Embrace the adventure, and fly high!

Tags: courage, eagles, foller coasters, isaiah 40:31, kelly mize, Our City On A Hill, overcoming fears, Soul Food