When a flight deck crew has to navigate around a difficult area, where storms are brewing and conditions are volatile, one of the basic guiding principles for them is to identify their location in relation to the weather around them.  In such a situation, they adjust their position to divert from dangerous weather based on what they know, not upon what they don’t know.  For example, they may not know where the storm came from or how long it will last, but if they spend time being curious about the unknowns of the weather, they are putting themselves and others in harms way.  A decisive and immediate decision is required in times like these.  Recognizing what is going on around them and how they respond to what they know is much more important than trying to figure out what they don’t know.

  In a similar way, we face storms in life that are unpredictable.  These storms often come quickly, bringing confusion, turmoil and spiritual warfare.  When volatile situations confront us, they could draw our attention away from God and away from what we know is right to do.  We may face a harsh co-worker, whose words are cutting and painful.  Or maybe the company announces a surprising decision that immediately affects our jobs in a negative way.  Our natural inclination is to react or to try to figure out why and how this is happening.  We can become caught up in spending precious time and energy in our assessment of things, while at the same time being drawn negatively further into it.  We could become preoccupied with trying to figure out people’s motives and reasoning.  This is not necessarily wrong, but if it delays us from doing what we should, then the time and energy we spend could be costly to us.  Just like the pilot when approaching a storm, there are situations that we need to respond quickly, so that our hearts do not become disoriented and overcome by the conditions around us.  Our diverting does not mean we pull away from circumstances or people, rather our diverting means we do not allow ourselves to be pulled into using the same tactics condition as the world does.  Our Lord puts it very simply — we do not return evil for evil, instead we respond by treating people in the same way we would want them to treat us. Does this sound too simple?  Well, this simplicity may not change the conditions around you, but it will protect you from going further into dangerous territory, where the turbulent conditions of bitterness, resentment, and anger are brewing.

Are you aware of what is going on around you?  First, begin by preparing yourself with learning how God instructs us to respond in some of life’s difficult situations, also remember to pray on all occasions. This will help to navigate our way through them. There are times when God does ask us to wait before we react to unpredictable circumstances, in order to gather information before we respond. And there are other times when we should respond quickly and correctly, in order to prevent us from reacting and becoming controlled by the conditions around us. (PMC)

God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105)