The Roller-Coaster

Can I take a moment and pray for us?

Jesus, you know every emotion we are going to feel today and the cause of that emotion. Lord, help us to be people who feel deeply, and never apologize for sharing your heart; From joy to sadness, we embrace all that you have for us to experience today and we receive it as a gift from you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever experienced a “roller-coaster” of emotions? Put another way, have you moved from the mountaintop of joy to the valley of despair in a single day? I certainly have. In fact, today is one of those days.

This morning, I woke up with so much expectant joy. I was truly excited for the day until I opened my email inbox and discovered that a dear friend of mine had passed away. One moment I was full of joy and the next moment, sorrow. Sometimes our days are filled with different types of emotions:

As I went to comfort my deceased friends’ family, I was lifted to a place of compassion and empathy. I felt their pain, but also their hope as they celebrated the life of their loved one.

On my drive home, I found out that a young man that I had been ministering to had made the decision to accept Christ and get baptized! I was SO ecstatic!! As I continued to drive, I drove past an accident on the highway. The scene was chaotic and there were signs that someone had passed away. My heart broke for the family that was going to receive such tragic news later on that day.

I have been on a “roller-coaster” of emotions all day long.

Have you ever experienced moments like these? To encourage, the God of the Universe, Jesus did as well!

The Bible shares, that in one 24-hour period, Jesus experienced:

• The death of his precious friend, John
• Tries to find a place to be alone
• Is followed by thousands of people looking for a miracle
• Feeds 5000 plus from five loaves of bread and two small fish
• Walks on water and invites Peter to do the same!

One moment, Jesus is grieving. Full of the emotion of despair, Jesus tries to be alone. Suddenly, an overwhelming crowd is there, full of need. Jesus meets the need with a miracle! There must have been some exhilaration and joy at that moment and THEN, he walks on water and defies the laws of nature. Wow!

The Bible says in Hebrews 4:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4, NIV)

When the roller-coaster of emotion is at a high spot, it is easy to choose the way of God. When we are in the valley, the challenge is more daunting.

No matter what emotion you face today, God knows, God cares, God is with you and God is FOR you!

So, let’s settle in together and get ready! This ride is going to be exciting!

You are a miracle!

Your friend,

Grant Fishbook