UNexpected Turbulence

UNexpected Turbulence:unexpected ~ not expected or regarded as likely to happen. “his death was totally unexpected” synonyms: unforeseen, unanticipated, unpredicted, unlooked-for, sudden, abrupt, surprising, unannounced; turbulence ~ sudden, violent movements of air or water: a state of confusion, violence, or disorder; great commotion or agitation <emotional turbulence>; departure in a fluid from a smooth flow

Jesus never told us that life would be smooth. In fact He told us there would be hard times, persecution, sorrows, even attempts on our lives. Jesus told us that we are His and He would never leave us or forsake us. But He warns us: expect UNexpected Turbulence. When we fly, pilots and flight attendants warn us to keep our seat belts fastened, even while seated in case of unexpected turbulence. Yet because people are impatient, feel they can handle what may or may not come or just think arrogantly they know better than the experienced captain (who has radar and other meteorological equipment in the cockpit to gauge and predict turbulence), they get up and move about the cabin when the seat belt sign is on. Even when they are seated, they ignore the suggestion of keeping their seat belt on because they don’t want to feel constricted or held in one place for too long. For some it is pure rebellion against authority because they absolutely will not do what others have instructed or commanded them to do. They are in control of their own decisions and destiny. It doesn’t matter how much experience those flight attendants have with turbulence, somehow they’ve convinced themselves, “I know better.” But when the unexpected turbulence comes! OH they are tossed about the cabin and nothing can keep them from hitting their heads, their bodies on the very thing meant to take them to their destination. Critical injuries could have been avoided, if they had just listened to the warnings. There is no use in blaming the pilots and flight attendants for not keeping them in their seat. The crew gave the warning. The passenger ignored the signs. Jesus warns us to keep our prayer life, studying and meditation of His Word, worship and praise and righteous living ON, even when everything in our “world” is going great, because UNexpected Turbulence WILL come. Yet because we are impatient, nothing bad has happened in a while, we start taking that protection off. We feel we can handle what may or may not come about in our life, because we are protected by our talents, gifts, intellect, etc. We even arrogantly feel we know better than GOD, who knows our beginning and our ending because He is the Author and finisher of us, so we step outside His commandment to stay in His Presence. We start moving about life to and fro even when the signs are all around us to stay seated in His Word. Even when we are seated, we ignore the commands of the Word to walk in righteousness and holiness because we don’t want our flesh to be constricted or be convicted by His Holy Spirit calling us higher. For some it is just pure rebellion against God’s authority because they absolutely will not heed the call of God upon their life and want to succumb to the fleshly lusts and pursuits of this world. They are in “control” of their own decisions and destiny and God is not going to “command” their lives. It doesn’t matter how much experience the Saints of God around them have had with turbulent times, they’ve somehow convinced themselves, “I know better than God.” OH but when the UNexpected Turbulence comes!! They are, we are tossed about to and fro, abiding by every false doctrine, every untrue philosophy and giving heed to seducing spirits and old wives tales. We let untrue thoughts exalt themselves against the Knowledge of God and we have no strength to cast them down. Nothing can keep us from being broken up and nothing can keep us from hitting our heads against the proverbial wall of hurt and shame. We end up being slammed back into the very God Who meant to take us to our destination, safely, in the first place. Critical injuries to our spirits would have been avoided if we had just listened to His commandments. There is no use in blaming God or the Saints for you not staying in His Presence, His Word, His Worship. They gave you the Warning. YOU ignored the Sign. UNexpected is just that, unexpected. You can’t predict what may happen in and around your life. Yet God will prepare you to be ready in season and out of season for what may come. Turbulence, especially of the emotional kind, can be weathered IF you take the time to hide the Word of God in your heart. Then you can pull on His Word instead of your feelings in time of trouble and distress. God is the Captain of our lives. He has commanded us to put on our seat belts (Praise, Worship, Word, Righteousness) in case of UNexpected Turbulence. Please listen to the Voice of Almighty God. Remain seated with your Seat Belt on…

© Global Girl Ministries/Andrea Nancille Jackson All rights reserved

Inspired by the Crew and Passengers of United 1676 which experienced severe UNexpected Turbulence over the Rocky Mountains on February 18, 2014. Five people were injured (including a flight attendant injured critically).