Bumps in the road...

          I was settled comfortably in my seat anticipating the very short flight ahead of me when I noticed the clouds outside. For me this was my signal to panic. My body became tense and my heartbeat probably increased; I couldn’t tell I was too busy waiting for it... Last week, I recounted my daughter’s fear of the plane taking off and the fact that she would grip my arm tightly until the ordeal was over. For me my fear begins at the sight of clouds especially if we have to actually fly through them. It’s usually an indication of a little or a lot of dipping and shaking and the more intense the dipping and shaking the more tense I become.
           But I have learned one way of coping over the years. I would literally picture in my mind God’s very large hand holding that plane as it dips and shakes. It’s my way, and God’s I believe, of reminding myself that He is in control, that He would not allow anything bad to happen and if He does He will get me through it. Let’s face it, whether you are travelling on land or by air, there will be “bumps” along the way. We can’t always get away from them. Sometimes the flight or the ride on the road will be nice and smooth but at other times it will not. We know what our final destination will be but what we can’t always predict is how the ride will be. Sometimes it will go the way we expect, other times something unexpected may happen that can throw a damper on the entire trip.
          Life is exactly like that. We will have good days as well as some bad ones. When we give our hearts to the Lord we look forward to an improved life. But then reality hits us ... sometimes very hard. Suddenly we are faced with bumps, potholes and ditches that seem to appear out of nowhere. Sometimes we are even blindsided by situations that prompt us to say, “I did not see that coming!” We battle with discouragement, despair and sometimes wonder how we are ever going to make it through this one. 
          I’m thinking of Joseph. Although his brothers were jealous of him, he was blessed with his father’s love and favor. God even gave him a dream that seemed to show that he would rule over his family one day. Unfortunately, however, his world was about to turn upside down. In a fit of jealous rage his brothers sold him to some Midianite traders who sold him to an officer of Pharaoh in Egypt. Life seemed to be going fairly well and he found favor with his master until the man’s wife made advances on him. When he rejected her she accused him of attempted rape and he was thrown into jail. But even in jail he once again found favor because the Lord was with him and he was put in charge of the prisoners in the prison. After correctly interpreting the dreams of two prisoners, the one destined to be restored to his position as the king’s cupbearer forgot to put in a good word for him so that he could be released from prison. His hope for release was dashed. However, when some time later Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph. He not only rightly interpreted the dream, but he was released from prison and became Pharaoh’s right-hand man (Genesis 37, 39-41). Joseph faced bump after bump after bump on his journey to greatness. He probably battled despair and discouragement many times but everything he went through was a part of God’s plan for him. God was in control all along and I’m sure teaching him some valuable lessons along the way.
          My own life has been riddled with its share of bumps and turbulence, but I know I’m not the only one. Through each one God has downloaded some valuable lessons into my life and I have been able to look back at various situations and see that if that challenge had not come I never would have experienced some of the blessings that came about as a result. We don’t like when bad things come our way, but I believe we need them to help teach us lessons and to birth some awesome things in our lives. If we are honest with ourselves, some of the things that brought pain, suffering, even shame, also brought opportunities, promotions, breakthroughs that we didn’t see coming!
          So, cheer up! God’s big capable hand is holding you as you go through. You can’t avoid the bumps, potholes or turbulence on your journey, but you can’t stop God’s very capable hands from holding you and taking you safely to your destination either. As His child, He will take all of it, both good and bad, and ultimately work them together for your good (Romans 8:28).
 
          If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so now. He is eagerly waiting to help you through every difficulty and challenge you will face on your life’s journey. Don’t miss the opportunity to let Him wrap you in His arms and take you safely to His destination for you.