By Aryanto Wijaya
My flight from Jakarta started off peaceful but soon turned noisy. A toddler beside me cried almost the entire time, her little voice growing louder until the plane door finally opened at our destination.
It was a bit tiring, sure, but I understood—she was just a child. Instead of feeling annoyed, I found myself watching with curiosity. Her father stayed calm, gently patting her back, offering quiet comfort. A flight attendant tried to help with apple juice, but she didn’t want it. Through her sobs, she kept repeating these words to her dad: “I’m scared.” Even as the plane landed and the jet bridge connected, she held onto those words—“I’m scared.”
Around us, some passengers looked frustrated. I overheard whispers of blame—some felt the parents weren’t responsive enough, others thought the child was too fussy. Later, at the airport, as I waited for my next flight, I pulled out my journal and reflected on what had just happened. One word stayed with me—the simple word she kept saying: scared.
Trusting Our Feelings
If you’ve ever looked into psychology, you might have come across an interesting concept called The Atlas of Emotions—a map that illustrates the vast spectrum of human feelings. Feelings are a natural response to life’s experiences. They are valid, worth acknowledging, and an essential part of being human. But feelings rarely exist in isolation. They’re often shaped by thoughts, memories, imagination, and worries, which means they don’t always reflect reality in its entirety.
Take the toddler who cried on the plane. Maybe it was her first time flying. The ear-popping pressure, the loud engine, the unfamiliar cabin smell, the presence of so many strangers—it was all new and overwhelming. Her fear was completely natural. Her feelings were valid. But did they accurately reflect reality? Not really. The plane was fine, flying steadily, and landed safely. No one around her meant any harm. She was held securely in the arms of a loving father, gently patting her back to soothe her.
Because she’s still a child, she isn’t able to separate her emotions from the facts. To her, fear is truth. She fully believes what she feels, even if reality says otherwise.
As I sat there, listening to her cries, I realized something. Perhaps this was God’s gentle way of teaching me about my own fears. Lately, I’ve been carrying anxieties—uncertainty about the future, worries about my life partner, concerns for my parents’ health, things I can’t quite control. These fears feel real and valid. The future is unclear. I have no guarantees.
But just like that toddler, I’ve overlooked something important. I’m actually in the arms of my Heavenly Father. His strong, loving embrace surrounds me. His hands guide and sustain me. I am safe, even when my heart tells me otherwise.
When Focus Shifts
Being swayed by feelings isn’t just my experience—it happened to Peter, too. The bold disciple, known for his unwavering loyalty, once declared he would die for Jesus. Yet, fear still found him.
One night on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walked on water. Peter, eager to be near Him, asked for permission to come. Jesus welcomed him, and for a few moments, Peter actually walked on the water.
Then, a strong wind blew. His focus shifted. Instead of seeing Jesus, he saw the storm. Fear took over, drowning out his faith. The Bible says, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30).
In Peter’s mind, the gap between him and Jesus felt impossible. But in reality, Jesus was still there—standing firm, fully in control. Yet Peter, overwhelmed by his emotions, believed fear over truth.
Seeing Peter sink, the Bible records: “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down” (Matthew 14:31-32).
What a comfort. Jesus didn’t let Peter drown in fear—His hand was there immediately, firm and rescuing. Even in the weakness of Peter’s faith, Jesus’ love and power never wavered.
Peter’s story mirrors our own. Every day, we face worries—the future, loved ones, global crises, personal struggles. News headlines shake us. Our first instinct is often to take control, as if everything depends on us.
But God’s Word offers certainty: we are held in His hands. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Not a single moment of our lives passes outside His care. Even when our faith wavers, His hand remains steadfast, never letting go.
Managing Fear
Modern psychology helps us better understand emotions. It teaches that feelings deserve to be acknowledged—we can admit when we’re afraid, anxious, or disappointed because it’s part of being human. But validation doesn’t mean we have to follow every emotion. Recognizing feelings is just the first step; they need to be processed, not acted on impulsively.
Like the little girl on the plane, what she really needed was to hear her father’s reassuring voice: “You’re safe, sweetheart. Daddy’s here.” And in the same way, we need to hear the Father’s voice through His Word.
God continually reminds us: “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). Imagine if that toddler had understood that she was safe in his father’s arms. Her journey might have felt completely different—she could have enjoyed her apple juice, marveled at the clouds outside, or even clapped when the plane landed smoothly.
Maybe these days, you and I still carry fear. But let’s bring it before the Father. Let’s let His eternal Word settle in our hearts—that we are His children (Romans 8:16), always safe, always provided for in His presence (Hebrews 13:5b).
May we embrace this life as a warm and beautiful journey. Not because hardships and uncertainties disappear, but because we know—God is with us, always.
Watch Also:
Loneliness at a Young Age: Alone vs Lonely
Loneliness can be present in anyone’s life, regardless of age, gender, social status, or even one’s faith. BBC research shows in its survey that 40% of respondents in the 16-24 age group admit to being lonely.
When we struggle with feelings of loneliness, what should we do? Is there a powerful solution to overcome this feeling? Let’s explore further the topic of Loneliness at a Young Age: Alone vs Lonely with Septiana Iskandar from Lifespring Counseling & Care Center (in Indonesian).
Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.
