best I could, reminding them that what
they were doing mattered. I prayed
for them too and was more blessed
when some of these incredible people
prayed for me.
I think about what the one guy said:
“Where there’s a problem, I go.” Is this
something you do? When storms come,
what’s your initial reaction?
You may know that airplanes take off
into the wind. You’d think it would make
more sense for an aircraft to ascend
with the wind behind it. However, that’s
not the case. Without my explaining
the complex physics behind it, the fact
is, flying into the wind actually reduces
takeoff and landing distance.
A similar principle applies to eagles.
An eagle is the only bird that loves
storms. That’s because it was created
to rise above them. This magnificent
creature has the unique ability to lock
its wings in a fixed position. When it
flies into a fierce storm, it will power
on this natural mechanism and use
the wind to soar above the storm.
The eagle doesn’t sit out the storm.
It doesn’t pretend it’s not there. And
it’s not afraid of it. The eagle will fly
straight into the storm.
Every one of us reacts differently when
the storms of life come. Some try to
escape them. Some use distractions
to forget about them. Some do nothing
and let themselves be whipped by
driving rain and gusty wind.
Whatever we try to do to avoid a storm,
one thing is for certain: it’s there. It’s
unavoidable and impossible to ignore.
Here’s the thing: As believers, we have
44 • Solutions
the knowledge, the powerful truth, that
we can overcome every storm with
God. And when the storms hit those
around us, like an airplane or an eagle
flying into the wind, we need to rise up.
We need to lean into the chaos.
We need to realize the world is full
of hurting people. And because we
are followers of Jesus, we can bring
people out of the storms of life. We
can help heal the broken. We can help
bring hope where there looks to be
none. We can show love where little, if
any, exists.
You may never experience a natural
disaster like Hurricane Irma in your
lifetime. I certainly hope that’s the
case. But you will surely endure a
crisis or a trial or know someone who
will. Don’t walk away from or numb
yourself through it. Recognize this
as an opportunity to show Jesus and
share about a hope that is greater than
anything else.
Say yes and serve as His hands and
His feet. When you do this, you open
yourself to the possibility of doing