“Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”—Matthew 8:26, NIV
Going through the storms of life can be like riding a roller coaster at Disneyland with your kids. There’s always at least one ride designed to simply terrify you, and that is the one the kids want to go on the most.
So, you stand in line for two hours, waiting, anticipating the coming rush of fear. Then when you get to the platform, the attendant not only straps you in but also pulls down a bar to pin you in place.
Then there’s that sound I hate—the slow click-click-click of the car jerking up to a perilous height while gravity pulls you back into your seat. Once at the top, they let you hover over the precipice for several seconds, just to rattle your nerves.
Suddenly, the bottom drops out and down you go.
The rush of wind blows back your hair and seemingly your whole face as you scream for dear life. Then, whoosh, you land at the end of the line, breathless and daring to hope it’s over. Sometimes it’s repeated until finally, under the guidance of a team of engineers and mechanics, the car comes to a halt, and you are on the ground, safe and calm once again.
As scary as those few minutes can be, you know, in the back of your mind, you are on a guided track. Everything is under control, even when you feel like you’re free falling into nothingness and certain disaster. Finally, the sense of survival and accomplishment are calming, sometimes even exhilarating!
Remember Jesus in the boat with His disciples as they weathered a violent storm (see yesterday’s devotional). They were freaking out—until Jesus suddenly rebuked the wind and the sea, and all was calm.
We are on a guided track when we put our faith and trust in the Lord. When we invite Jesus to go with us and let Him carry the weight of worry and fear, we can trust that the storm will pass.
I’m not saying all our trials and difficult storms are like a Disneyland ride.
Life can be very hard and frightening.
But the ride we are on is safe in the protection and care of our Lord. We can trust Him to get us through the storms—and the scary rides—safely.
“Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”—John Newton
