Navigate Troubled Waters (And Overcome Fear)نموونە

The Flood

When Noah and his family entered the ark, God did not tell them the coming plans. They did not know how long they would be on the ark. God did not provide them with the specifics. He put them into the ark and shut the door, and they had to wait until he would give them the okay to open it again.

It must have been so scary to look out from their floating home each day and see nothing but water. God doesn’t punish Noah for sending birds to find out if there was any hope of land. Like the prayers we pray, those birds were the question: is this almost over?

I have had so many times in my life when I felt that agony and pain. I have wondered if the suffering I am experiencing will ever be over. I have felt the heaviness of not knowing how long it would continue and was afraid I would not be able to endure it. I have sent out my own prayers, asking God, “How long?” He doesn’t get offended by that question because he hurts for us and with us.

The first two birds don’t bring any messages of hope, but the third one brings an olive branch! What an incredible moment that would have been for Noah’s family. I picture them taking that precious little token of hope and putting it up where they could all see it and remember this important truth: Suffering is temporary.

The olive branch was a special choice of God. It was a symbol of peace. Olives bring life and healing, and someday God’s Spirit would present itself as a dove. It was God’s way of reminding all of us that from the time of Noah to the time of Jesus to our present day, he is writing a story that features both pain and peace.

Maybe today, you are in the ark in your mind and heart. There doesn’t seem to be any sign of land wherever you look. The pain is intense, and the fear is that you will not be able to endure it. God wants you to talk to him. You can send out your prayers by asking God, “How long?”

You might not know the exact timetable, but I can promise you that our pain in this life is temporary. Someday we will arrive. I look forward to sitting and talking with you during that time, and we can swap our stories of how we survived our flood experiences. And share in the victory and peace when it’s over.

Lord, I openly admit that I am weary. I grow weary during such harsh and troubling times. But I pray for us to keep our eyes focused on the precious olive branch you have put in our hands. It is the symbol that Jesus has promised someday we will be living in eternity with you (and with each other). Our current sufferings are not pointless. And they will end someday. Help us to live in the hope of that truth.