As my parents and I were flying back home after the holidays, we encountered a tremendous amount of turbulence on our flight. I’ve been on quite a few flights but I must admit, I was pretty anxious and a ball of nerves on this flight. I gripped the armrest and gasped at every dip. In some ways, I felt unsafe and helpless because there was no where to run for cover nor protection.
I began to pray for peace and protection as the plane dipped, dropped and turned like a roller coaster. As my stomach felt a little uneasy, I heard God say, “Patrice, you’re okay; it’s just turbulence.”
Webster’s dictionary defines turbulence as, “great commotion or agitation. Irregular atmospheric motion especially when characterized by up-and-down currents.” I believe 2019 will be a year of expansion, restoration, healing and unpredictable change. Like turbulence, circumstances may be unpredictable, annoying and uncomfortable but God doesn’t put more on us than we can bear. It can be nerve wrecking and aggravating but it’s a normal part of life.
James 1:2-4 (AMP), “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace.] And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
We encounter setbacks that sometimes make us feel like we’re going to crash and burn but like planes, we’re built to withstand life’s turbulence. No matter what you may endure, remember God said, you were not built to break! We are all made in God’s image and have HIS resurrection power in us. It’s a new year and people have created resolutions but remember, the new year means nothing if we’re content with staying in our comfort zone.
We make a request known to God and try our best to understand it’s apart of the journey. I’m sure you’ve wondered did God hear your prayer or are you waiting in vain. We must make sure we keep our heart in check while we wait. God requires us to wait because we must be prepared for the blessing and we must TRUST Him with our need. We must trust God even in the most difficult circumstances (turbulence). Don’t give up nor give in while you’re waiting. Mercy shall surround those who trust HIM.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” What makes faith does not always make sense. We must choose to trust God while enduring turbulence.”
God NEVER lets anything that happens to you be in vain! Even if bad things happen, you can ALWAYS be taught a lesson from it; making you stronger and wiser! Everything happens for a reason! Today’s test is preparing you for tomorrow’s victory.
Isaiah 43:2 (AMP), “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” With all the obstacles we face, we have to understand that they get us farther away from ourselves and closer to God. All things work together for our good. Even when it doesn’t look good, it works out for our good!
Calm Your Fears
The smartest thing you can do when you encounter a bumpy ride from turbulence is buckle your seat belt (pray). Don’t tense up or fight it, but instead, relax and go with the movements just as if you were on an aircraft. Prayer is a weapon. It will calm your nerves and support you while enduring the bumps and jolts in life. As you pray for strength and guidance, God will provide you with the necessary tools just as air traffic controllers support pilots to navigate through bad weather.
Sometimes fear can be our biggest enemy. Don’t allow fear to block your blessings. Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Of course, anxiety some times sets in when enduring turbulence but it’s a normal part of life. Remember fear has two meanings, which do you choose? “Forget Everything And Run” or “Face Everything And Rise.” Prayer, reading your bible (biblical meditation) and participating in bible study groups can help focus your attention if you’re feeling uneasy from turbulence in your life. Before you know it, you’ll be like the crew on an airplane, “unfazed by a little bumpiness.”
Take your eyes off what you see in the physical because God is busy in your life. Trust God based on what you can’t see because you know HE’S there. For All I Trust Him because the turbulence of life has made me stronger and prepared me for every blessing! There is a blessing in every lesson. God continues to bless me daily.
Lord, I thank you for every NO, closed door and disappointment. Lord, thank you for knowing the DESIRES of my HEART & WHAT I NEED!
I got it Sis …”Face Everything And Rise.”
What an amazing way to begin 2019 and the years that follow.
Thank you for continuing to uplift us all through the Word received from God!
Peace and Blessings to you and your family.