FIVE C’S TO NAVIGATE A STORM
The most dangerous phenomenon for any airplane is a thunderstorm. The turbulence can render an airplane impossible to control. Precipitation can be so severe as to knock out an engine. While lightning is the least of the problems, it can knock out the electrical system, and hail can hit with the force of a shotgun blast. Pilots have learned specific procedures to help them safely fly through the storm, and these same procedures can help us safely navigate through our present storm - the Covid 19 Pandemic.
ONE: CALM
Stay CALM and don't let fear grip you. Shake it off by so you don’t panic. You have the power to choose your thoughts. Take a deep, cleansing breath to calm yourself and let it be a reminder to check what you are telling yourself with God's Word. Does it pass the Philippians 4:8 test? "...whatsoever things are true, noble, right, praiseworthy, or excellent, think on these things."
Choose to think God's thoughts instead of the taunts of the enemy. Our typical reaction might be to follow the "what ifs" to the worst-case scenario. Fear worries about what could go wrong and causes us to choke in being at our best for responding to the storm. However, God's thoughts usually lead to best-case possibilities.
Believe God is with you. Psalm 46:1,10,11 reminds us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Be still and know that I am God. The Lord Almighty is with us."
TWO: CHECK
CHECK your Instruments. You cannot go by feelings when flying in a storm. You may remember when John F Kennedy Jr. crashed his plane. He couldn't tell if he was ascending or descending. He went by his feeling that he was climbing instead of trusting his instruments. We cannot rely on our emotions; we need to be grounded in truth by practicing the following.
Regularly reading the Word and meditating will help you be familiar with how to use this instrument in a storm or crisis. We will know what scriptures to consult in times of trouble. Psalm 18, 23, 27, 34, 37, 46, and 121 are scriptures I know will help me. Of course, you can always "google" your question for where to look in the Bible.
Praying is as easy as talking to your friend. You don't have to use a specific language for prayer. Praise Him for Who He is and all He has done and then ask for help, protection, and healing, and end it with giving thanks.
Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit takes practice. The Holy Spirit lives in you to guide and prompt you. As you tune in to the Word of God, you will sense the Holy Spirit making certain things real to you. Obey those promptings, and it will be more comfortable in a storm to use this instrument.
THREE: COMMUNICATE
COMMUNICATE with the tower. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Our "Strong Tower" is God. He is our refuge, strength, and protection in the time of trouble. Instead of isolating and withdrawing, we need to run to Him and seek His help and strength. Pray and listen.
Take time to cast your cares and anxiety on the Lord (Philippians 4:7). Don't be afraid to cry and express your feelings to God. "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)
FOUR: COMPLY
COMPLY with commands. We need to be respectful and obey the commands our leaders are giving us for staying healthy. We also need to be obedient to do whatever God says. Sometimes we go to Him, but we don't listen; we don't obey.
When we disobey God's Word with known sin, we can't expect God to work for us. But when we comply with the commands of God's Word, He will work on our behalf.
Praise Him in your situation. Don't wait until the storm is over. God instructs us in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Without praise and thanksgiving, we can get a spirit of heaviness, which will weigh us down and cloud our judgment.
FIVE: CLIMB
When Overwhelmed CLIMB higher. When overwhelmed, take the advice of Psalm 61:2, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." David had to run to the Lord when he came back from war. One of His enemies had ravaged the town and stolen all the livestock and families. The men were ready to kill David, but scripture tells us David encouraged himself in the Lord. He took what he knew about God and all he had learned through his experiences with God and encouraged himself to trust God again. God had helped him kill the bear, the lion and Goliath and given him great success in battle. Surely that same powerful God would help him now.
Worship will shift your focus higher -- off the pandemic and possible dangers. Declaring or singing His worth will help you focus on an Almighty God who is faithful, all-wise, and always working for our good. Worship until God manifests His presence to you, and in the process, God will take care of the worry.
When a pilot encounters an all-encompassing storm, they don’t focus on the danger, but on keeping safe. Vice President Pence, when asked “what would you say to people who are afraid?" said, "Do not be afraid, be vigilant." We need to be vigilant in doing what we know to do to keep safe. Then we trust God with the rest. If we should get the virus, God can bring us through that also.
This pandemic may be an extended storm, so you will need to keep going through the process of the 5 C's until we get to the other side, but with God as our pilot, we know we'll make it through. What a day that will be!
Written by: Angela Coon
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