…we were sitting there, about to enjoy a yummy airplane meal, watching our movies… when suddenly, the plane began bouncing around, even the flight attendants were having difficulty managing the carts down the narrow airplane aisles… With every jolt and jerk I found my thoughts quickly plummeting… How much experience does this pilot have? Boy, can’t he get a handle on this thing?! As I began to pray about the turbulence, I had a realization… I had the same doubts about God’s ability to navigate the flight of my life…
In that moment, I was reminded that sometimes storms and strong winds come which the pilot has no control over. Even when being flown by the most experienced pilot you can still experience turbulence. It’s not a matter of the pilot’s skill, but rather a fact of life… Storms come.
I realized that I’ve thought about God like this pilot… When the storms of life come, I find myself asking God, why? I end up blaming Him for why things are so difficult; why things are the way they are; as if He’s not piloting my life very well…
But, storms in life are inevitable because of the broken, fallen world we live in and because each of us is broken; sinful. It’s not God’s fault that there’s a storm… I shouldn’t blame His abilities or awareness to keep my flight smooth… Instead, I need to recognize, He’s the One still keeping me aloft; keeping me safe; using the storm to mature me…
The saints Paul, James and Peter all remind us of this…
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 –
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 –
“…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:6-7 –
So, I encourage you not to blame God for your struggles and trials in life… Accept them as part of life and this world… When you’re in the midst of the storm and the flight gets rough, pray… Jesus is piloting the plane, bringing you through the storm… Keep the faith and thank Him because you know that on the other side of the storm is beautiful sunshine and gentle winds… He will bring you safely home!
(Turkish Airlines… the most memorable airline on our journey!)
