Turbulence

 

   Just last week I was on an airplane flying home when the pilot came over the intercom and advised everyone to stay in their seats with their seatbelts securely  fastened because there were some “heavy winds” up ahead.

   I sat there in my seat with my eyes closed just trying to be still as all of the bumping and shaking of the turbulence was beginning to make me feel sick.

   My mind wandered in a million different directions while I also prayed for the turbulence to end. Finally, after what felt like forever, I opened my eyes and glanced out the window to see the most surprisingly beautiful view of the clouds and the sky. Dallin and I both smiled at each other in awe of what we were seeing! In an instant (with the turbulence still shaking the plane) the Spirit spoke to me in my mind, saying:

“You have to go through the turbulence in order to make your way back home.”

I learned a few things in that moment.

1)      Just like the turbulence on a plane, we have to go right through the trials of life in order to return back to our heavenly home. There was no going around the wind; we had to fly right through it.

2)      EVERYONE on that plane felt the turbulence. Not one of us “flying home” will make it back without feeling the bumping and jarring of the trials of life.  (And we may even wonder if the turbulence will ever end!)

3)      Even though the turbulence or trials may feel like it’s going on forever, we need to be sure to OPEN OUR EYES and SEE THE GOOD that is before us, and the people who love us and are there to help us through.

4)      Are we “securely fastened” to our Savior Jesus Christ? If we are, we will make it to our final destination safely.

   There are so many lessons to be learned as I continue to ponder on this, but I was grateful for this experience that I went through in order for the spirit to teach me, and testify to me of these important things. I love that during that bumpy ride home, the beautiful view out that airplane window brought a rush of the spirit that testified to me of God’s love for me, and that He is aware of me.

   2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

   I testify that Jesus Christ is our Pilot. Not only will He lead us safely home, but He will be with us through every single bumpy and beautiful cloud.

Love your friend and fellow passenger,

Susette Trickett