How to Get Through Turbulent Times

How do we get through those turbulent times of life?  As I am writing this blog, thoughts and prayers are with several friends experiencing turbulent times. A married couple who has persevered through college and grad school recently settling into a community and starting a family has been plunged into uncertain times with devastating news of declining health.  A teenager is struggling with peer pressure, searching for peace and her identity.   Two dear friends are waiting in a hospital while their child is in surgery after an accident. A man just a few hours ago watched his bride of more than two-thirds of his life take her final breath.  How do we get through these times?

The answer is often heard in four simple words paired together and shared in the course of a
conversation by the one who has been plunged into these times of uncertainty. Four simple words are often spoken, and far too often taken for granted. Four simple, beautiful, and powerful words, "God will help me."

As a local church pastor, I hear these words a lot.  For those who have a rich, abiding faith, they are words of reassurance that echo from somewhere deep within the soul. It's interesting to note that when life gets out of control, I often hear these words of hope even from those whose faith is shallow, weak, or questionable.

For those of us who have faith, we take comfort in knowing that the Scriptures declare that God is faithful.  He is just.  He is Sovereign, holy, and true. There is no place one can go that escapes His knowledge, surpasses His wisdom, or stretches beyond His reach.  The Psalmist declared, "Where can I go from your Spirit?" (Psalm 139:7). We are captured by a sweet peace when we realize we are never out of His sight, out from under His care, or away from His love.

Borrowing from the title of a wonderful book written by Dr. David Jeremiah, God Loves You. He always has and always will.  God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to live on this earth, experience life in its fullness, and to take our sin to His own cross.  He arose from the grave and ascended back to the right hand of Almighty God to intercede on our behalf.  He is our High Priest who understands our struggles, our burdens, our griefs, and our failures (Hebrews 4).

The old spiritual proclaims, "Where can I go but to the Lord?" That is a truth declared by the psalmist David.  He wrote, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from?  My he comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1)

Yes, God will help .  He will help us by giving comfort and wisdom through His written Word, the Bible.  He will help through the inspiration and strength He provides of His Holy Spirit.  Both of these are extremely important. Yet, there is one more way that God extends His help to us during turbulent times.  A method unprecedented in its impact.  God will also help through the love and care expressed by His people, the Church.

We are not created to live life in solitary confinement, but in community with others.  Jesus is hope for every man, woman, boy and girl.  He is the fullness of God.  He could express Himself to us in an innumerable list of methods, but has chosen to express His hope to humanity through the words and actions of those who follow Him, His Church.

Throughout the New Testament, God's chosen method to communicate His love, to strengthen, to encourage, to offer hope, and to demonstrate grace has been the actions of His people.

Life Application:

Are you a part of a local, Christ-honoring, Bible-preaching church?  I know the church isn't perfect, and perhaps you have seen or experienced those imperfections first hand.  Yet, the church is God's chosen method to express Himself to the world.  Think about it; who better for God to use to express His help and hope than those who have been helped by Him and have hope through Him.

The Bible teaches, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9--10, NIV).

How does God help us?  Through His Word, the Bible?  Yes.  Through the inspiration from the Holy Spirit?  Yes.  But also, through the love and actions of His people, the Church.  Be an active participant in a local church.  Ponder this. The next time you are going through a difficult season, God will use others to help lift you up.  Then, when others are struggling, God may use you to be His hands of compassion for them.