Do you ever see experiences in life as analogies to deeper things? It’s easy to miss good life lessons if we look at events or circumstances merely at face value.

Last weekend, Jim and I flew to Holland, MI and back in the Cessna. The flight back was a bit dicey due to gusty winds and showers–nothing to be worried about, Mom, just a little turbulent. We flew through three or four showery systems, and I observed the same thing every time.

Although the flight was smooth as silk before entering the rain, I could see the dark clouds and precipitation ahead, and felt my heart rate accelerate. Sometimes when life is going well…the streams of abundance flow…God gives us a glimpse of the upcoming storm. Sometimes through a “feeling” as His Spirit testifies with our spirit (Romans 8:16) and sometimes in more tangible and visible ways.

Just before entering the rain, we experienced the most turbulence because the weather changed from good to not-so-good. Don’t you find that being in the midst of change can be the most difficult? I was comfortable before this change, for crying out loud. We were flying smoothly, everything was in my favor. Why change things?

This is what God brought to my attention on that hour-plus flight: once we were in the rain, the turbulence calmed down. It was strangely calmer being in the storm than it was entering the storm. It reminds me of Jesus’ promise in John 16: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” That’s incredible…He is promising that I’ll have trouble in my life, and at the same time promising real peace. So even in the midst of a storm, it can be calm because of the peace Jesus gives.

Once we passed through the rain system, the sky was clear and smooth. (That is, until the next patch of dark clouds! ) But what a great picture of life, and an analogy of the verse in Romans that says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”