Turbulence in Life.
Turbulence can be frightening. In life, storms are often just over the horizon but Carol reminds us that Jesus can deal with storms.
A Plane Going Through Turbulence
Have you ever been in a plane going through turbulence? The plane bumps around a bit or a lot. Or driven through a storm – a blinding snowstorm, a duststorm, heavy rain, or dense fog where the way ahead is obscured and we hold the steering wheel with a white knuckled grip.
Maybe you have lived through serious storms like we hear about on the news. Storms like hurricanes, flash floods, tornados, or firestorms where people need to be rescued and many don’t make it. Buildings are destroyed, lives lost, power outages, and life as that community or area knew it changes in a short period of time.
Fear can engulf us. Will the plane crash? Will we crash into the ditch or another car or have someone crash into us? I’ve been in a airplane when there has been turbulence but never to the point of the pilot losing control of the aircraft. I have been in blizzards, icy road conditions, and a dust storm.
Unpredictable Driving Conditions
Years ago, my sister-in-law, my three young children, and I drove from our home to the farm where my husband had grown up. We planned to go and help my mother-in-law with some early spring cleaning and visit. When we left home the roads were good and the sun shone. I prayed we would have good weather and roads for the entire over six-hour trip. In April, in Saskatchewan, the weather can be unpredictable and driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
As we neared Regina, the wind picked up. No snow remained in the fields in Southern Saskatchewan so the wind blew dust all around us. Nothing too much and we continued on through the city. A few more miles down the road, the dust storm got worse until we couldn’t see the front of our car even with headlights on. I hoped the car still was on the right side of the road. I couldn’t see behind us or to either side. We traveled in a blackness of dirt and grit.
Fear hopped on board as I pulled to the shoulder of the road, hoping no other car occupied that spot. How far away was the lane? How far from the ditch or another vehicle had I stopped the car? How long would we have to sit here, hoping the storm passed without anyone hitting us? This was before cell phones so we couldn’t even call for help, although could help find us anyway.
We waited, trying to pray and not fear. Keeping three little ones occupied as the blackness surrounded us. The storm blew through quickly and we continued on our way. The farm had not experienced any storm. I phoned home to find out my husband had driven the truck home in a snowstorm.
Storms Are Part of Life
Storms are part of life – both physical storms and the tough events of our lives. Life is tough. We all experience times of pain, frustration, things beyond our control whether they are health related, finances, relationship issues, chronic pain, the list is long and varies only in intensity and events with each one of us. But pain is pain is pain – and many times it is something beyond our control – not always – but sometimes. The choice we have is what we do – our attitude – whether we try and fix the situation or trust God’s plan.
Yet even though I’ve seen God work in my life and in other people’s lives in amazing ways when the tough stuff piles up like it is right now. I get discouraged – can’t see the way ahead – and I struggle. I am a fixer – I like to help fix things and make it better for my family, for others. I get caught up in busyness until I am exhausted physically, mentally, psychologically, and become spiritually dry – afraid of the future, of the “what- ifs” of life. You see at this time my eyes have been focused on the storm around me and not on Jesus.
A Storm With Jesus
In Mark 4 :35 – 41 we read about a storm that happened. Jesus had been teaching the crowd and now he instructs his disciples to get in the boat and take them to the other side of the lake.
- Jesus was with them in the boat
- They were not alone – other boats were on the lake too
- Vs 37 a furious squall came up
- Waves nearly swamping the boat
- Fear in the disciples
- Vs38
- Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat – completely at peace and rest
- The disciples woke him up
- Teacher don’t you care if we drown?
- Don’t we feel that way in the storms of our life
- Fearful
- Feeling like God doesn’t see or hear or care
- Questioning – don’t you care – doesn’t anyone care
- Don’t we feel that way in the storms of our life
- Teacher don’t you care if we drown?
- Vs 39 – Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and waves
- Quiet be still – three little words that changed the night from one of terror to calm
- Jesus – God – the Creator has power over the physical wind and waves with his words – he created us – has power to be there in all our storms
- Vs 40 – Jesus turns and talks to the disciples – questions them
- The disciples who had already seen Jesus do miracles, who had seen him do things that no one but God could do and yet their faith was so tiny
- Jesus asked them about their faith – Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?
The disciples wondered who Jesus was that even the wind and waves obeyed his voice.
Knowing Who Jesus Was
Are you like me and wonder how the disciples could see these miracles, physically walk with Jesus each day, be taught by him, along with the crowds by parables and then the explanations as he taught them personally, and still not know who Jesus really was – or be so afraid when they physically had Jesus in the boat with them?
I read this devotional – from Susie Davis – Proverbs 31 ministries
This is part of it:
God never uses fear as a tactic to make us holy. His ways are higher than stooping to that level. If that’s true than there’s no need to panic. No worrying that God has lost control of things. No anxiety over things unknown. Just the calm confident confession that God is holy. And in that holiness God manages the whole universe. . . including you and me and the people we love. God isn’t just the God of the calm and peaceful. He isn’t God in the happy and safe. He’s God in the chaos.”
In another part of the devotional, she talks about the word YET
In the storms of life and the fear that ensues and encompasses us – when we lose sight of the greatness and holiness of God – when we wonder if he hears our prayers and sees our distresses –he whispers the word YET
Yet tells us the story hasn’t fully been told
Yet tells us a page is about to be turned
Yet tells us go has a different perspective.
Where God Has Calmed Storms
Habakkuk 3 has verses that begin, “even though” and a list of things that have gone wrong. I took those even though statements and added my own things that could or have gone wrong. You can do it too. Fill in the even though parts of your life and then finish with YET – yet God is still God – he hasn’t changed
Look back at where God has calmed the storms, been the anchor in times of trouble and then realize that He knows the way ahead. He is the pilot that can be trusted and if he is not already in the pilot seat, change seats with him and give him the control.
Do you trust God as your pilot through the turbulence of life? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
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