Many folks love to fly, but they hate to fly in bad weather. If you fly often you know what I mean. When you fly in bad weather and you look out the window, it’s completely white outside. You can’t see the shapes of the clouds. You can’t see the blue sky. You can’t see the ground; just plain white. Then comes the turbulence. Some bumps are light and choppy, as if the plane were flying over a washboard. Some are heavier, and you grab your beverage to keep it from sloshing over the edges. Then there’s turbulence that literally jolts your body in your seat. And when the captain turns on the “fasten your seat belt” light and makes an announcement and asks the flight attendants to discontinue service and take their seats, you know what’s coming next: more turbulence.

That’s when you and the other passengers put down yours books,fold your newspapers and grow quiet, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride… Jesus never promised us that we wouldn’t have repeated challenges or “bumps” along the way. In scripture, there are verses like Psalm 34:19 (NKJV), “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” And John 16:33 (NKJV), “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” In life we may experience turbulent times; we may have to endure some bumpy rides, but be encouraged, Jesus is always right there with you.