Calming Anxiety (for ourselves and others)

Jim Whitaker was not supposed to be on that plane. He was in New York City for a business deal, planning a new football stadium. But joyously, plans finished early and he was able to catch an early flight. As he sat in his seat waiting for take-off, he heard the irritated voice of a woman. Looking up he saw a young mother, baby slung on her chest, insisting that she needs a new seat so she can be next to her young daughter. After a moment or two of confusion, someone volunteered to move so that the father could sit next to the daughter. Momentarily abated, though not fully satisfied, the mother and baby found their way to their seat, right next to Jim. The mother tried to settle into place, but never quite could. Jim, feeling her unease, did the only thing he could think to do. He looked her in the eye and said, “Ma’am, is there anything I can do to help?” His kindness and calm attitude eased her worries…for a moment.

The plane took off and barely two minutes later was trying to find a safe place to land. A flock of birds had failed to dodge the plane and ruined the engines. The plane lurched and leaned as the pilots prepared to land it in the only safe place possible: the Hudson River. As the plan was announced to the passengers Jim saw the panic on his seat-mate’s face and said out loud the words that were racing in his mind: “Don’t worry; we are in good hands.” He wasn’t a preacher, wasn’t trying to preach, but his faith was real to him and he had an irresistible urge to share that trust in this moment. As the call rang out “brace for impact!” he had one last impulse. He asked the mother, “May I brace the baby?”

The mother later reflected on her willingness, saying Jim looked stronger and calmer and more prepared for that moment. She gave Jim the baby and he shielded it with his body. What she didn’t know was that Jim was silently praying the whole time for peace, for courage and “Lord, God, give me the strength to hold this baby.”

God did. And miraculously all 153 passengers and crew who were aboard Flight 1549 were rescued from the cold water because of the courage of many.

As we continue our series Stress Free School Year, our focus is going well beyond the focus of Fall activities and rituals. This is for every day of life. This week we dig into how to calm anxiety for ourselves AND others. In Mark 14: 32-42 we see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. He went there to pray, knowing his time was short. He invites Peter, James and John further in than the others, but leaves all in the end so he can earnestly pray for God to maybe change His mind about what is to come. In this moment we see the fullness of prayer: petition and surrender.

I think Jesus had hoped the Apostles would join him in praying for his deliverance, but it wasn’t to be. And unfortunately they were caught unaware when the time of trial came. But Jesus, having poured his heart out in prayer and thereby renewed the trusting of his Father, was as ready as he could be for what was to come. It is on this model that we should build our lives. Gather together to pray; spend time alone to pray; remind each other of God’s love and faithfulness; go out into the world to do what God has called you to do.

We can also have comfort from this story that we are not alone in our struggles, as Jesus himself was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Mark 4:34) And we are further emboldened on this point to bring whatever is troubling us to the feet of Jesus in the letter to the Hebrews:

Amen.