Rising Above the Storm

Scripture: “…but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3,4 (NKJV)

Yesterday, my flight back from Baltimore was less than a smooth ride. I boarded my 7:40 a.m. flight with one goal in mind: get on the plane and sleep the whole way to Tampa. I was so excited about how God touched the lives of the women I was with the week before that I could not sleep. Though I tried to close my eyes and snuggle under my long red wool coat for a nice long nap, I found myself reflectively thanking the Lord for the awesome week I had, instead. “Ah, this is nice,” I thought. I love my quiet time with the Lord.

In the midst of prayer time bliss, I was abruptly interrupted by the pilot’s voice over the intercom. He quickly informed us that we were we about to experience turbulence. Apparently, the building winter storm was causing some difficulties and we needed to head to a higher altitude. We needed to stay seated until we were above the storm. Now, I didn’t panic upon this announcement, I just kept my eyes closed and began praying for the plane, pilot, weather, etc. The turbulence continued. Suddenly the Lord interrupted my prayer with these words: "Sometimes, you have to go through the turbulence to rise above the storm, but the end result takes you to the higher place."

I thought about how easy it is to give up when the going gets tough. Too many times I have fallen into this trap. Most of my young adult life was spent running from the difficult times. Oh, how I desire to jump the hurdles in life victoriously and soar to a much higher place with God. Somehow, by the grace of God I am continually learning to press on past the difficulties of life to pursue my rightful spot in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).

Today’s verse tells us that we should glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.
Life is a journey of turbulent experiences. What we do with the experiences develops our faith and trust in God. We must learn to rise above the turbulence and press on through the trials of the day. It is only when we purpose in our hearts to run this race with God to it’s fulfillment, that our faith is set as a sure foundation in our lives.

Eventually, our plane hit the “higher road”. As the plane soared in the peaceful sky, I drifted off to sleep. I learned a valuable lesson that day. I can stay at peace in the midst of a storm. I can trust the Lord when things get shaky in my life. He knows where I am and He knows how to build the character I need to be successful in life.

Lord, I set my eyes upon You today. Help me to realize where I allow the storms to cloud my vision. Help me to rise up and see things from Your perspective. Build perseverance, character and hope in my life. Grant me the wisdom to triumph over the turbulent situations in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Resources:

Walk in Light Ministries Website

Applications:

Do you have turbulent areas in your life that you have not walked through? Ask the Lord to show you how to rise above the storm.

Make a list of trials you have walked through. Thank the Lord for building character and hope in you during those difficult times.

Reflections:

Have you backed down in your pursuit of God because the going gets tough?

Do you try to figure out the answers in the midst of the storm instead of taking it to prayer?

Power Verses:

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:8,9 “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but no forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

James 1:2,4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.