Turbulence!

My Mom called me this week to inform me of a trip the Ladies Ministry is planning this spring. Some of the ladies who have decided to take the trip have never flown in a plane. This trans-Atlantic flight will be a learning experience for them! Someone needs to inform them of that little thing called turbulence!

The altitude at which a jetliner travels exposes it to the many pressure systems and jetstreams which naturally occur in the atmosphere. These are the same systems that control and determine the weather thousands of feet below. These aerodynamic forces cause the plane to bounce and shake as the form of the jet must press its way through the very strong currents it encounters. It can be very frightening for the novice traveler!

As I was pondering this, the Lord began to talk to me about turbulence we face in life; things that are happening around us that we may not necessarily see with physical eyes yet our spirit is influenced by them. Turbulence is what I like to call "Fiery Trials". Listen to what Peter said in his first epistle:

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you." (I Pt. 4:12 NLT)

We have all experienced turbulence, whether it comes in the form of a prolonged illness of a loved one, a family turned upside down by divorce, the fear of lack that accompanies a job loss, even the times when we pray and our petitions seem to hit the ceiling and fall back to our floors! These are all examples of turbulence, of fiery trials.

But we must recall what Peter said. "Don't think this is strange!" Somehow in all of the noise and bombast of the past 20 years' worth of theology, we've perpetuated a belief among God's people that says believers should be exempt from turbulence. Beloved, this is not what the Bible tells us! What sort of ineffective, namby-pamby people would we be if we never encountered the sort of challenges that bring about true growth and maturity in the spiritual man?

We would be powerless, lackluster, weak-willed men and women. The Apostle Paul spoke of these very believers when he was speaking of a generation who would "...act as is they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly..." (2 Tim. 3:5 NLT). We must realize that turbulence in our lives is the tool God uses to make us stronger. We must not run from the fiery trials.

I want everything God has for me. That is as plainly as I can state it. God has assured me that if I do my part, He will do His. I believe Him. I also know that my part involves holding fast to the promise He has made me AND enduring in the really awful times I go through. In order for me to be the woman He created me to be, I must withstand!

Paul told Timothy in this same verse "There will be very difficult times..."
(v. 1, NLT) For sure, we will experience the bumps and dips and ups and downs at some point in time. But if you and I are grounded in The Word and we know in whom we have believed, we will make it through the turbulence.

Later on in Chapter 3 of this letter to Timothy, Paul tells his protege exactly how to deal with all of the trouble.

"But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you." (2 Tim. 3:14 NLT).

We must stand on The Word that is, hopefully, buried deep inside of us. Though the winds blow and the storm batters, we must not collapse under the onslaught! Jesus told the crowds, we must be built on The Rock. If we have a firm grip on the truth, we can handle the crazy ride life can (and will) become.

I pray that today, if you aren't part of a Bible believing, Word-based, Spirit-filled church, God will get you into one. You need to have that kind of teaching and atmosphere in which to get your grounding. I pray that God will send you Holy Ghost filled and inspired men and women to teach you the truth-not THEIR truth, but THE TRUTH. I pray you are surrounded by friends who will pray you through the turbulence and walk you out of it, if need be.

God is not trying to scare you, Beloved. He simply needs to get you stronger for the task ahead. If He doesn't exercise your endurance muscles you will never be able to make it through the fiery trial! Let him work it out in you. Let the adversity you face become your secret source of strength!

Jennifer Barnes
UPLIFT! Editor