Trips to the airport are almost always accompanied with an adventure. Whether it’s a flight to see family, traveling for work, or an exotic trek across the globe, I love exploring new places.

When in the air, there are few things I find more beautiful than watching an endless sunset over a billowing sea of clouds; Or seeing the webbing of streetlights illuminating the night sky from above.  Each city appears as a unique fingerprint of civilization. But with this beauty is often one thing – turbulence. My most recent flight shifted and shook like a ship in a storm the whole way back to Dallas.

Turbulence – violent or unsteady movement of air or water; conflict or confusion.

I don’t pretend to know anything about the aerodynamics and science that are involved in keeping the airplane afloat. One thing I do know – an experienced pilot does not fear turbulence. He or she maneuvers through the speed bumps in the sky with ease, knowing without a doubt that the plane will remain in the air.

As I tried to convince myself that this choppy ride was no different from sitting in one of those dollar massage chairs at any shopping mall, I began to think about how turbulent this last year has been for so many.

This past year has been full of bumps, many of which were unexpected and left us with bruises. When facing these unexpected bumps, it’s easy to focus solely on the uncertainty of the situation, or on the immediate pain and knee jerk reactions. Through the lens of eternity, these bumps are miniscule. This is something that that is often difficult for us to remember as we face imminent threats. In every season, it’s important to remember the promises our God has made to us. The sorrow may last for the night, but His joy will come in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

When we inevitably face turbulence, we need to remember who is in control. Are you trying to steer the plane? Or are you giving control to the one who deserves to be in the pilot seat?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never becomes faint or weary;
there is no limit to his understanding.
He gives strength to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
Youths may become faint and weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.

Is. 40: 28-31