No one likes to sit in the discomfort, uncertainty, or anxiety of thoughts gone wild. When trouble comes, that is exactly what some of us do. We get paralyzed. We are unable to move, plan, or think. Others, like myself, go into overdrive. Stress induced cleaning and running through every scenario, trying to plan for them all seems to satisfy my desire for control.

Approaching trouble with an independent mindset, grasping at what I see, depending solely on myself, I am quickly overwhelmed. Scenario five was obviously not the best option and number eighty-five sunk me. If I wasn’t sitting in the discomfort, uncertainty, or anxiety of my thoughts before, I sure am now.

Trouble is a part of life. It is not a matter of if it will come, but when. The tumultuous seas of life are scary and dangerous. As followers of Christ we can choose a different perspective. Jesus gives us hope as the anchor to slow our ship. The waters still threaten to overtake us, but we stay the course and pursue the adventure.

In last week’ s post we talked about how an earthquake in scripture indicates God’s presence drawing near and the changed landscape that results. The earth is already quaking. Calling on God won’t make it any worse. God is our refuge, strength and help, giving us peace in times of trouble. As we draw near to God, he draws near to us. He tells us to cry out to him in our troubles, that trusting in Jesus is how we escape them. He saves us, delivering us from trouble, but that does not mean we remain unscathed.

Fiery darts from words spoken in anger pierce our tender hearts and we take the next boat out of the harbor to get away. A diagnosis turns up the heat, causing the waters around us to become unsteady. The rogue wave of our loved one’s abandonment capsizes our life into a sea of fear.

Times of trouble are opportunities to let God do what he does best. Changing the landscape stirs up seas that have become slack from our repeated patterns. It causes us to navigate around damage blocking our way and see undiscovered land. Following Jesus into uncharted territory opens lanes carrying new ideas and perspectives.

God’s word tells us that he comforts us in our troubles so we may then comfort others with the very same comfort he has given us. We are not supposed to go through troubles on our own! In fact, God’s word says bearing one another’s burdens by sharing the weight of trouble’s load fulfills the law of Christ. Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Sometimes we must trust God in people. As his people we help one another. The one who has journeyed longer upon these waters sees the lighthouse and steers you from the rocks. Another has withstood the whirlpool’s vortex and steadies your spiraling. And yet one more has safely shored from a rip current and leads you through it.

We must open our hearts to his love and our minds to his truth. Knowing he works all things for the good of those who love him isn’t always enough. Believing it always is. Knowing who God is helps us believe him. When we believe him, we learn to trust him.

Trusting God is not easy. Popular opinion, the latest and greatest fix, or the old tried and true standby create a thick fog, obscuring our vision. When we trust God, the boat steadies and perspective clears. Jesus becomes the focus. His character opposes chaos. His movement nurtures motivation. While life swirls like a typhoon, Jesus alleviates distress, steadies wavering, and calms turbulence. The same breath that stills the wind and waves fills our sails with provision, purpose and protection. If we capsize, we swim for the life preserver of love instead of sinking into the abyss that surrounds us.

Following Jesus has not shielded my life from trouble. Actually, it has probably invited it at times. God never intends bad things to happen, but he knows when they will serve the purpose of his love. The purpose of awakening one to who he his and drawing near. The purpose of saving one of his beloved children. He did it for me. God won’t leave or forsake you. He’s waiting for you to turn away from the storm and with courageous hope, turn to Jesus, your true north in rough water.