I’m excited to have friend and fellow author Laurie Driesen join us this month for our FOR THE HEART blog post. Laurie and I became acquainted when we were both contributing to the Putting On the New Blog. Her posts always spoke to my heart. Laurie will be sharing with us every other month. I know you’ll be blessed by her posts.
The choppy turbulence started as soon as we reached cruising altitude. I tried to be calm but it was very bumpy. All I could think of was that we were 27,000 feet above the ground in a big flying machine that felt out of control!
Then I remembered; this is exactly what the pilot warned the passengers about at the beginning of the flight. He said he had just flown the same route and there would be turbulence. I realized that the reason the pilot told us in advance was to prevent any concern about it. He was letting the passengers know that we should expect a bumpy ride but he already knows about it, he has already navigated this route and he has it all under control.
When I considered the pilots words, I resisted the feeling of being fearful. I just kept reminding myself that the pilot is in control.
When I go through turbulent times in my life, I sometimes don’t come to the same conclusion that I did on that airplane. At times I feel the fear, uncertainty and doubt that surfaces so easily! I feel like life is out of control and wonder why God doesn’t smooth things out for me. But Jesus specifically warned his followers, “…in this world you will have trouble.” In John 16:33 He told them that the reason He was telling them was so that they would have peace. And then He added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Overcome means to conquer, defeat, prevail over and be victorious. Wow! That means that Jesus has already conquered and prevailed over any turbulent situation I go through. Why do I ask whether He’s in control? Would I rather be in control? I hate that thought but I believe that might be the problem!
When we fly, we relinquish control and trust that the pilot is capable and worthy of getting us to our destination. We literally place our lives in his hands. Why is it so hard for many of us to be as confident in placing our trust in the Lord?
I imagine that if I would have had a chance to talk to the pilot during that bumpy flight, he would have said something like this; “I’m an experienced pilot and I’ve flown this route before. I have been trained how to navigate in all types of weather. I’ll make sure that you get to your destination safely. You don’t need to worry or be afraid of turbulence.”
If we asked Jesus whether He is in control, He would say exactly what He said in John 16:33. He would remind us to “take hope” because He has “power over the world!”
The One who is in control gives us assurance that He has power over everything that troubles us. We can lean on Him, trust Him and He will help us through.
That gives us a reason to have peace and hope in Him!
Laurie Driesen is a writer and entrepreneur. She is the author of Beyond Regret – Living Your Life Purpose in Spite of Past Choices. The book discusses missed opportunities, the “why” behind our mistakes, how regret can help us, and preventing future regret. Beyond Regret sheds light on God’s true will and purpose for us and how we can live it out no matter where we are today.
Through her writing, she seeks to share the truth of God’s Word and help others grow spiritually. Laurie’s blog can be found on her website: www.silverpathresources.com