Not long ago I was enjoying a smooth flight when-BAM!-unexpected turbulence rocked the plane. Panic replaced peace—you could see it in the passenger’s eyes. Even when the flight settled down and people returned to their books, movies, and laptops, emotional turbulence lingered. Everyone seemed to share the same concern: are we going to be OK?
We don’t have to be 30,000 feet in the air to experience turbulence.
Turbulence of any kind—physical, emotional, professional, national, or personal—leaves us wondering the same thing: are we going to be OK?
Am I going to be OK?
If you’ve experienced turbulence lately–any change that’s shaken your life from its normal, predictable, smooth-sailing routine– Psalm 46 brings comfort and clarity to chaotic circumstances.
Here are three truths to remember when life gets turbulent and we wonder if we’re going to be OK:
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God is a Present Help in Our Trouble.
“God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
I love that this passage doesn’t try to re-brand tough times by slapping a bow on them and calling them something they’re not. Trouble is trouble.
But, in our trouble, God is with us (with you) and God is our refuge. He’s the safe place we can run to when we face challenging seasons. God doesn’t shame us out of our fear, confusion, or heartache; God invites us near. What’s more, God provides the strength we need when, frankly, we don’t have it.
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God is Sovereign, Almighty, and Lord Over All
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Did you notice that verses two and three both mention the word “though?” So, even though our world seems like it’s falling apart (“the earth gives way, the mountains fall into the sea, the waters roar, and the mountains quake”) God is MOST HIGH over it all. God is bigger than any circumstance we face.
In verse seven God is called, “The LORD Almighty.” In Hebrew (the original language of the Old Testament) the word “Almighty” means, “The God of Angel Armies” or “The Lord of Hosts.” Pause and let this truth sink in: God has countless angels at his command and the God of angel armies is with us. Wow!
Therefore, the Psalmist concludes, we won’t fear.
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God is GOD
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
In verse 10 God speaks personally. “He (God) says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.”
Do you remember the story where the disciples were in the boat with Jesus and a sudden storm rocked their boat so violently they feared they might drown?
Do you recall what Jesus said to the storm?
“Peace. Be still.”
God is Lord over all things. Raging waters. Our circumstances. You. Me.
And, in it all, ultimately, God will be exalted. God will make Himself known and be honored and worshipped.
Sometimes it takes turbulence for people to recognize God as GOD.
Turbulence is rarely fun (dare I say, never fun?) We don’t have to love it. But we can find peace and confidence knowing God our refuge, strength, and ever-present helper. We can remember that God is Lord over all things, and He will be exalted.
So, what would God say to us if He was sitting right beside us during our turbulent circumstances, when the real question on our minds is, “Am I going to be OK?”
He’d likely grab our hand, look at us tenderly and say, “Be still. And know that I am GOD.”
If you are a child of God, you will be OK.
xo,
Donna
If you live in southern California, I’ll be doing a book signing on Sunday, June 9th from 1:30-2:30 at the Barnes & Noble, Irvine Spectrum. I would LOVE to see you there!!!
FYI…Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life is getting 5 star reviews! If you haven’t purchased your copy yet, do it today. I’ll be doing a personalized book club this summer on the podcast (I have a special surprise that’s going to be sooooo good!!), so you’ll want a copy all your own. Plus, I’ll be answering your questions about relationship/conflict issues. One reader said, “this is like getting thousands of dollars of Biblical counseling for 20 bucks!”
On The Podcast:
This month we talk about finding your purpose with Rebecca George, creating a great marriage with guest, Belah Rose, the importance of praise, and I welcome the Focus on the Family Broadcast’s most frequent guest, Kathi Lipp, to discuss how to declutter (I’m still convicted by that one!). You can listen to the “That’s Just What I Needed!” podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts or click here.
Scripture for the Day
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
You are loved, my friend!
Donna
