How do we learn to conquer our fears?  When someone grows up afraid of spiders what suddenly changes that means they’re okay?  Or if you’ve been afraid of public speaking… have you ever overcome that one?

I had a life-changing experience recently, and it was my ten year old son who gave me the lesson.

Jackson was turning ten, his first time in “double figures”, so we offered for him to do something really special for his birthday.  He chose to swim with a dolphin.  But then the blasted dolphin passed away!  So we had to come up with Plan B.  It was agreed that Jackson would go for a flight in a glider.  Knowing that he was scared of heights I was a little concerned.  But I didn’t let him know that!

So the big day arrived and we ventured to the local air-strip.  The extended family were there to cheer him on.  He sat in the glider while it was being prepared and looked relatively calm.   Stage 1 completed.

As we arrived at the end of the runway Jackson emerged from the car in tears… but he wasn’t prepared to let that stop him.  When the time came to launch he was strapped into the rear seat of the glider and given instructions on how to hang on if he was afraid.  His knuckles were white as the lid closed.  Stage 2 completed.

As the small Cessna powered down the runway with the glider bouncing along behind Kathy and I held each other and wondered if we’d done the right thing.  Too late now though as the plane and it’s entourage sailed skyward.  “What’s the worst that can happen?” we asked trying to reassure ourselves.

As it turns out the flight was a fantastic success.  They flew around for 45 minutes talking to each other and looking at the little people on the ground.  Apparently Jackson got to fly the glider in circles and was the best pilot of the day!

As the glider came into land almost an hour after take-off we nervously waited to see the result,  but we didn’t have to be concerned at all.  This little boy returned much older and wiser as he furiously waved from the cockpit as he landed.  He lept from the cockpit once released and sprinted to his mother to smother her with a huge hug.  He was so proud of himself.  Stage 3 completed.

His words to me as he gave me a big hug were “Dad, I think I conquered half my fear!”

And do you know what we observed later as we celebrated over a cold Coke?  He never once said that he didn’t want to do it.  His tears were a function of not really knowing how to deal with the fear.  Previous to this fear had meant he didn’t do what he feared.  But no longer.  He had decided this was something he wanted to do and, although he was afraid of the unknown, he made a decision to carry on and see what happened.

I’m reminded of something a wise man said once, it’s a shame I can’t remember who.  He said “Those who are successful are ones who have learned to feel the fear and do it anyway.”  You see, this means that the brave aren’t the ones without fear, they’re the ones who persevere despite the fear.

So what can you overcome?