Surviving The Sudden Storm

Engines roared as we took off  in this massive piece of metal called an airplane. By all rights it should be far too heavy to fly. But… Now at thirty seven thousand feet we were soaring like an eagle high above the clouds. With my headset on and listening to the pulsating and moving harmony’s of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir I was enjoying the ride. What could be better than this? Looking out the window, like huge cotton balls of various shapes and configurations, those clouds hung suspended above the earth in a most majestic fashion.

I knew it was going to be a marathon trip.  From Los Angeles, to Salt Lake City,  to Houston and then on to Fort Lauderdale. I was more than tired and ready to get home even if I had to “puddle jump” to get there. It was early in the morning and I knew I would not be arriving home until late at night but  at least I would be home. The flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City had been terrific. And now leaving Utah the take-off roll had been perfect as we once again rose into the heavens. The azure skies glistened with the brightness of the sun as I settled back in my seat to enjoy the ride. We were about forty-five minutes out of Houston airport when what started out as a few bumps began to turn into the roller coaster ride of my life. The “fasten your seat belts” sign came on. The beautiful blue skies were now growing more ominous by the second.  In just a few moments of time, suddenly, from out of nowhere, we were flying through a horrendous storm. All I could see now was the  black clouds that appeared to swallow the wings while, at the same time, the rain beat vehemently against the windows like a fighter in the ring. Of course, the lightning was flashing piercing the darkness for a brief moment and then it would disappear as quickly as it had come.

Obviously, I couldn’t get off and say, “I’ll think I’ll walk.” Those of us on that plane were a captive audience in a real-live drama. There was a grandfather sitting to my right who had enjoyed sharing pictures of his grandchildren with me and telling me wonderful stories of his childhood. I absolutely did not want him to know this “woman of faith and power” was at the moment quite terrified. However, I think he must have known when, as the plane took a major dip, I grabbed his arm with a grip not indicative of my small stature. With a sheepish grin I said, “Oh, excuse me. I think this weather is a bit rough, don’t you?”  This kind grandfather chuckled and said, “That’s quite all right, young lady. I’m a bit scared myself.” What? This mature grandfather afraid. Oh, no. Not good. This must be it or so I thought. In all of my travels I had never been in a storm quite like this one.

I reached over grandpa and without hesitation pulled the shade down over the window. Out of sight. Out of mind. Well, not quite. I did figure, however, if I didn’t see the dark clouds maybe I could shift my thoughts from the storm to something else a bit more peaceful. Secondly, I fixed my eyes on the pilot. No, more like I stared at the pilot. This is back in the day when they would keep the cockpit doors open. I carefully concluded that as long as the pilot seemed calm and I didn’t see him break a sweat, every thing must be all right. Obviously, we landed safely and I lived to tell the story. Now, I’m a student pilot and I am learning how to fly a plane. Here are some things I learned that day that I could never learn in a text book about surviving the sudden storm. First, I learned that unexpected storms will come. That’s just a fact of life. Secondly, you’ve got to learn the art of shifting  your focus. It could very well be a matter of life or death. When I pulled the shades over the windows I no longer focused on the storm but rather the pilot. He was listening to the tower and he had his eyes on the instruments. I was no longer fixated on the storm with its horrors but rather the performance and precision of the pilot.

If you are experiencing a sudden storm in your life right now pull the shade down. Here’s what I mean. Shut out the doubt and the fear. Tune out all the toxic people who would try to tell you that you’re not going to make it. You make the decision to move your gaze from the storm to the Pilot of all pilots, Jesus Christ. The Captain and the Master of the storm. I’m fully aware of just how rough the storms of life can be. I understand the buffeting winds and the torrential rains of the circumstances you may be facing right now. But because I know the Pilot I have every confidence that not only can you survive this sudden storm but you can thrive in the middle of it. Keep your eyes on the Pilot. He’s got it all under control! Safe landing….

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