Turbulence

I’ve noticed that oftentimes, people only speak about challenges when they’re a thing of the past. Scars, not wounds. The latter signifies weakness and a state of vulnerability but the former? We see that as an indication of our strength and proof of the battles we’ve won. Well, I’ve been waiting for this phase to be over before I share some stories about my “scars” 😂. It’s been almost a year now and it still hasn’t ended so I thought I’d come in and share some real-time realizations with you.

(by the way, what do you think about me using emojis when I write? I like being able to express how hard I laugh or the several side-eyes I give. On the other hand, someone told me I wouldn’t be taken seriously 😐😂 Anyway, let me know in the comments. Back to our gist…)

As believers, we’re guaranteed to experience circumstances that seem to contradict the nature and promises of God, and I think our limited perspective makes it even more torturous. It’s one thing to see the light at the end of a tunnel while you walk, and a completely different thing to keep walking through a dark tunnel with no light in sight. 

What do we do then?

If you’re in such a season right now, hi! Welcome to one of the most defining experiences that shape your walk with God. Although we might be experiencing different circumstances, I’m pretty sure I understand what you’re going through at the moment. I’m starting to see the wisdom of God in letting me go through this experience. I know, I know, it’s by no means the easiest, and you can’t wait for it to be over. SAME. Nevertheless, our lives are a summation of seasons. Some are pleasant, some are not, yet they are all important and beautiful in their own way. 

One thing I noticed about this phase is that it has revealed the things I truly believe. It’s easy to say “God is my healer” when you do not need a healer, but what happens when you come face to face with a diagnosis that seems irreversible?

It’s easy to cry and sing about God being your only satisfaction. Still, what happens when you feel depressed and depleted and you’re presented with alternatives that temporarily soothe your thirst?

It’s easy to say “The Lord is my provider” when you have a stable job and your barns are full, but would that testimony remain if you abruptly lose a job yet your bills keep piling up on your coffee table? 

It’s easy to shout “One with God is the majority!” when you’re only surrounded by people who love and support you, but what happens when, like David in Psalms 142, you find yourself all alone in a cave without friends and allies?

Ah… this season will try everything you claim to believe about God and yourself. It is a fiery season. It will burn, not to harm, but to purify. One day, after I had successfully surprised myself with my behavior, I had a “rooster-crow” moment like Peter after he denied Jesus;

60 …Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:60-62NIV

I felt bare before God like I was on the receiving end of that look Jesus gave Peter. You best believe I wept like him. In my head, I thought I trusted Jesus but my thoughts and actions didn’t testify the same. Knowing that God’s love for me is constant, and there’s nothing I can do to make Him love me more or less, I went to Him in prayer to talk about it. What He said sums up one of the reasons for such a hard season- “Exposing to Heal”. 

2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

James 1:2-4MSG

This scripture is so comforting to me because I thought I was doing something wrong. I was confused because it seemed like the more consistent I got with God, the more apparent my areas of weakness became. I didn’t know that He was drawing my attention to them so He could guide me through the process of healing. I understand, even more now, that when God reveals something in us that needs work, He is not asking us to fix ourselves and come back when we have our act together. Trust me, you couldn’t do that even if you tried. 

What He’s doing in this season is as important as the foundation is to a building. It is messy, laborious work with little to no immediate reward, but, the rest of your life will be built on the strength of this foundation. God loves you, remember? He really does. Everything He will ever do in, for, and to you will be to bring out the best in you; the Christ in you, sculpting you into the image of Christ one day at a time. You can rest assured because He’s with you every step of the way guiding, helping, and empowering you. 

“But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I could’ve made this a motivational post about “5 ways to – – – ”, but I wouldn’t be speaking (rather, writing) honestly. I don’t know many things, but I have one advice- stay with Jesus. While editing this post, I came across a quote that sums this up;

“If there is turbulence mid-flight, you don’t try to jump off the plane or go back home. Your best chances are to stay on the plane with the pilot”.

If there will be any time in your walk with God that you’d be tempted to drift away, now would be one of those times. But always remember; Egypt (whatever that means for you) was not as pleasant as your clouded thoughts remember. Despite all the pleasures and comfort you enjoyed, you were still a slave, and God brought you out for a reason. Don’t go back. 

I think that’s all I’ll leave you with today. I will write more on this in the coming weeks, God willing. Stay with God, He knows what He is doing with your life.

🤎