Finding God's Peace Above Life's Storms

This past summer, I led a team of high school students from our church to Costa Rica on our first youth international mission trip.

One of my favorite parts of international mission trips is the flight. Unlike most people, I love the airport and the plane ride—even the 12–14-hour ones!

Costa Rica was my fifth of six international mission trips, and I am always fascinated as we climb to cruising altitude.

As we get further from the ground, we get closer to the clouds. And then the craziest thing—we go through the clouds and ultimately are literally above the clouds. It looks like a soft, white sheet beneath the plane.

Every time this happens, I am reminded of on particular flight through a storm. The pilot took us straight into the storm clouds. Through the rain and lightning!

Logic told me this was not what we should be doing, but when we emerged through the clouds—above the clouds—it was an amazing sight.

Sunshine. Blue Skies. A dark carpet beneath us. You could even see the pockets of lightning in those storm clouds.

We were safe above it. Though we had to re-enter the storm for landing, for a moment, we experienced a beautiful calm. And a smooth ride.

Isaiah 43:2 reminds us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah wrote these words to the Israelites exiled in Babylon, reminding them of God’s unwavering love. Throughout the chapter, God refers to the Israelites as His people. People He created. People He formed. People He redeemed.

Though we are special to God, we still face trials and storms in this life—the consequences of sin and evil in the world. Yet God promises to be with us. He supports us and picks us up when we fall.

Isaiah’s words likely resonated deeply with the Israelites. Scholars often date this chapter to the same period—or shortly after—Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace.

Imagine the Israelites reflecting on their history as they heard Isaiah’s reminders: passing through the waters of the Red Sea, crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, and enduring the furnace unscathed.

Of course, one of our adult leaders on the Costa Rica trip may have a much better appreciation for the rivers not sweeping over him..."Where's Jeff?"

For those of you who obviously did not travel to Costa Rica with us, one of our adults got swept down the Rio Celeste. Anyway, back to the point...

Each memory reinforced God’s constant love, provision, and care.

As we enter the holiday season, let’s remember that while storms will come, we can be thankful because God is always with us. He guides us through them into His peace, His calm, and His presence.

Anyway, I was just thinking…