Fast forward five days, and I’ve boarded the plane toward home. Brent sits down in my row, and like James, his eyes glance over to the manuscript as I proof the next chapter. He’s honest too, when he admits, “I’ve been reading your paper, and I’m wondering if you’re an author—are you proof-reading?”
“I guess the red pen gave it away?”
“What’s your book about?” And I repeated the description I shared with James five days earlier about directing our minds to truth over emotion.
Enthusiastically, he inquires, “Maybe you can give me some thoughts about my 14-year-old son. He deals daily with anxiety; it’s affecting him in school, and we are really challenged right now with helping him work through all that.”
I felt, with his question, I had earned the right to inquire, “Do you have faith in your background?”
“Oh yeah, Christianity.”
“What does that look like for you?”
“God loves us and gave His son, Jesus, to save us from our sin.” Unlike John and James, Brent had been schooled in the truth, having embraced it for life.
“You and I are on the same page. I wrote this book from the perspective of the Bible, so do you mind me sharing some thoughts on a spiritual level?”
With enthusiasm, he replied, “I prefer that!”
We talked about practical ways he could coach his son to identify his anxiety, put words to his emotions, then manage the emotions he feels using the truths of God’s Word. In this way, the boy would learn to discern healthy fear vs. debilitating fear. He would have some tools in his proverbial toolbox to manage the anxiety by allowing God’s truth to overpower imposing lies.
And then Brent personalized it: “These are sharp tools. I need to ask God to develop them so I can use them myself!”
“Right? When I look back on our parenting, it is clear that what we modeled had a much longer-lasting effect than many of the words we said. Like the old cliche, ‘More is caught than taught.’”
“I wish I had your book to take home with me today.” Of course, then I gave him the opportunity to sign up on my blog page to receive notification of when he could find it on Amazon.
“But you know what, Brent? When you and your wife read your Bible, you will find it is full of insights on how to live through anxiety. As a Dad, you can take what you read and turn it into practical lessons for your boy. Show him how following God’s Way as laid out in HIs Word comes with massive pay-offs. Four years from now, when he strikes out on his own, he will be equipped with sharp tools to live strong through everyday. I’m going to commit to pray for you and your wife to find God’s wisdom for teaching your son. And I’ll pray for your son, that he will utilize God’s power to allow truth to overcome his fears.”
“I appreciate that. I know you’re right. I’m going to spend more time reading God’s Word. Thank you.”
And it was time to go our separate ways.
As I walked through the terminal, it hit me that all three of those men were searching for the same thing: Truth. They were coming from different directions, but they hoped to reach the same destination.
And then the light bulb flashed on: God had gone ahead in advance, setting up three divine appointments. God never wastes any opportunity to show Himself to everyone who looks for Him. I believe God orchestrated the seating arrangements, initiated the conversations, then put words in my mouth as appropriate for each of those men.
It’s God’s promise: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:13-14).
John, James and Brent were all searching for the Truth, and Truth does not play Hide-and-Seek. God draws individuals to himself and lays out Truth clearly in the best-selling Book of all times.
On another note, I will never be self-focused again during my airplane time. I’ll be okay with it when someone takes the seat next to me and initiates conversation…who knows where that encounter might lead?
Will you join me as I continually pray for these three men, asking God to continue to reveal Himself to each of them, as is appropriate for each of their needs? And the 14-year-old son…let’s pray he finds God’s Truth that overpowers his anxiety! My word, I’m hearing that same story from so many young ones today. The enemy is rampant, debilitating young and old with anxiety, but we who know the Truth can fight for them on our knees, and with our words when given the opportunity.
What kinds of spiritual conversations have you experienced lately? How did you notice God’s prior preparation in that situation? Share your story in the comments below.