Created to Withstand Turbulence

“We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

“A bird that fears turbulence will never know how high it can fly,” said African philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo. The statement made me appreciate turbulence, having come off a 15 hour non-stop flight. You see, in order for a plane to reach its final destination, it has to encounter turbulence. Without turbulence, planes cannot take off. During moments of turbulence, the Captain will say, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign. We are now crossing a zone of turbulence. Please return to your seats and keep your seat belts fastened. Thank you.”

As uncomfortable as turbulence can be, planes are built to withstand them. Retired Delta airline Captain Bill Watts said of planes, “It’s a very solid structure. It’s built to extreme safety standards. And if you look at all the statistics, you’ll see that it’s just very rare that an aircraft is affected by it – these acts of turbulence.” What causes turbulence is “crossing a barrier between different currents.” What makes passengers uncomfortable with turbulence is not knowing that it's part of the process and it will not hurt us, unless our seatbelts are unfastened.

Reflecting on this truth, I realized that we too are built to withstand turbulence because we are made in the image of God. Knowing this truth helps us not be fearful. If life’s turbulences scare us, we will never ascend the heights of life’s purpose. What God expects of us however, is to ALWAYS have our seatbelts on when turbulence occurs.  These three thoughts are the seatbelts that will keep us securely fastened:

1. God’s DNA Lives in Us: Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139:13 respectively state, “So God created man in His own image ... male and female created He them.” “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” When God created us, He injected His unshakeable, undefeated DNA in our system to help us ascend the “barriers between different currents.” So if we face the turbulence of sickness, His DNA of healing is available. If we face the turbulence of sadness, His DNA of joy is available. Every turbulence we encounter is always met with an answered DNA found in our Heavenly father. Allow this truth to sink into our hearts.
2. The Word of God Guides Us: Psalm 119:105 states, “Thy Word is a lamp until my feet and a light unto my path.” When turbulent times come our way, we need to speak God’s Word over our situation. God says He is watching over His Word to fulfill it. What better confidence to go into a situation knowing we are already victorious because the blueprint declares it.
3. The Holy Spirit is our HelperJohn 14:16 is Jesus promise to us. “And I will ask the father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” What audacious comfort to know we have a helper on hand 24/7, 365 days a year, including the leap year! Never a day goes by that the Holy Spirit is not available. All we need to do is summon His help and be willing to obey.

So how do we apply these simple truths when we are faced with turbulence? First, we need to speak these truths loudly to ourselves. When we hear what we are saying, it will build faith in us to face turbulence courageously. Second, we need to be grateful to know that turbulence does not last forever. Third, we need to magnify God through our praise. So let us use turbulence as a launching pad to trust God and let us not forget to have our spiritual seatbelts fastened at all times.

Copyright © 2017 Towera Loper. Used by permission.