Trust God

My family and I recently spent some time in sunny Southern California. Although the bulk of my trip memories are good ones, there were a few moments during our stay—as well as during our return flight—that could have really rattled my nerves.

For starters, we were out there when the recent earthquake took place. I was sitting on the couch in our hotel suite next to my oldest daughter when it occurred. At first, I heard a loud, continuous, rumbling noise that sounded like a huge garbage bin was being pushed down the street. Then, my feet started bouncing around as if they belonged to an out-of-control marionette. It wasn’t until I noticed that the loveseat my youngest daughter was sitting on was moving that I realized we were experiencing an earthquake. And, when the housekeeper that was cleaning our room began to frantically motion for us to come out of the room with her, it finally hit me that something serious was taking place.

Although the area we were in didn’t sustain significant damage, the possibility of an aftershock—which could’ve been even more intense—concerned me a little. Over the next several days, I analyzed any rumbling that I heard.

Ironically, just days prior to the earthquake, I found myself watching out for another type of sound—that of a helicopter circling above. You see, one evening, as we were driving to meet some friends for dinner, I noticed a man running down a street. I never saw his face, but I did see that a police officer was chasing him.

Seconds later, we realized that a helicopter was circling above as if an aerial search was being conducted in an attempt to catch the man. So, for days I wondered if every helicopter I saw in the area was still searching for him or simply analyzing and reporting on traffic conditions on the busy California expressways.

In addition, our return flight home was an unexpectedly adventurous one. Because of inclement weather conditions throughout the region in which we live, we experienced a little turbulence from time to time. We then ended up having to circle the area while the pilot waited for the go-ahead to land. But, since we did that for such a long time, the plane started running low on gas and had to land at another airport to refuel.

Once we'd refueled, we headed back toward our own airport. Unfortunately, because of the storm, the terminal was closed when we landed so we still couldn't de-plane for a while.

Despite the above incidences, I’d take another trip to California this weekend if I could afford to do so. Sure, those events could’ve shaken me to the point that I wouldn’t want to go back out there any time soon. But, I don't want to let the fear that something unfortunate "could possibly" happen to me while traveling override the joy I feel when I think about how many good things "will definitely" happen for me when I travel. In other words, even at those times that I feel a little scared, I try to make the decision to trust that God will take care of me and those I love.

You know, when I sat down to write this post just now, Crystal Lewis’ song Trust Me--a slow, melodic song that she wrote--came to mind and I wished I could play it. (I sometimes like to listen to music when I’m writing.) However, since I didn't put the CD on which it’s featured (Fearless) back in its case the last time I listened to it, I hadn't been able to find it. Much to my excitment, I just found it!

After inserting the disc into my CD drive, I attempted to thumb through the enclosed booklet of lyrics and it opened to Trust Me. I’m not sure why I even opened the booklet; I know all the lyrics to that song! Maybe it happened so that I'd read through them and gain an even greater appreciation for them. You see, I noticed some parallels between my recent experiences and the words to the song that made me even more grateful for God's provision and safety during our recent trip.

For example, one of the verses of the song—which is written as if God is speaking to His children—includes the following lyrics: “Don’t worry…You’re safe with me around…Rest assured I’m on your side…I won’t let you hit the ground…But close as it seems…Trust Me.” Another one says, “Don’t fret…I’ve been before through these valleys, down these long and dangerous roads…Yet dark as they seem…Trust Me.” And, that's what God wants us to do each and every day of our lives, with every facet of our lives.

Closing Thought:

Are you experiencing anxiety right now about any particular thing—your own physical safety or that of your loved ones, your family’s financial health, the security of your job, etc.? If so, do as the Bible instructs us to do in Philippians 4:6-7 when we’re anxious about something and “pray” to God about it. Talk to God and ask Him to take away the worry and replace it with whatever you believe you need in a particular situation. Lean on Him for strength. Turn to Him for wisdom. Rely on Him for peace. In other words, trust Him. Trust Him to be the same loving, gracious, merciful, awesome God He’s always been.

Scripture of Encouragement:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” (Psalm 91:1, 2, NIV)