Riding the Up-Down, Side-to-Side Rollercoaster of Life

When I was younger, I loved riding rollercoasters. I rode the old, rickety, wooden coasters and then, as more technologically advanced, faster rollercoasters came along, I was eager to jump onto them and enjoy their ups and downs, twists and turns.

 

For some folks, rollercoasters aren’t their cup of tea. (It’s hard to drink a cup of tea on a coaster.) They start slowly, initiating a steep climb, click-click-clicking on the track beneath your feet. Then after a brief pause at the top, just long enough for you to scan the scenery below, they send you on a speedy plunge, thrusting this way and that, sometimes upside-down and even, it seems, inside-out. 

 

Fun, fun! Until you get older, and your bones and teeth start rattling more than feels comfortable. Remember the old cereal commercial, “Trix are for kids”? With the passage of time, you realize that rollercoasters are, too.

 

When you think about it, life’s a lot like a rollercoaster. Sometimes the ride is smooth, calm, hardly any jostling. Then there are the slow, steady climbs, perhaps while advancing one’s educational path, getting married, having children, or going up the corporate or career ladder. We arrive at a peak and have a chance to peer across the horizon. What a beautiful view! 

 

Then, with little or no warning, there’s a dip. A big one. As the speed intensifies, your grip on the bar in front of you gets tighter. You hang on because you have no other choice. Maybe a household emergency has put a strain on your checkbook – or unwise financial decisions in the past are catching up with you. Or your “dream job” has turned into a nightmare, making just getting out of bed in the morning feel like a major accomplishment. Or you or someone in your family has a totally unexpected health crisis and the descent seems more than you can bear.

 

Charles H. Spurgeon, the celebrated British preacher of the 19^th century, understood this well. In one of his devotionals he wrote, “Yesterday I could climb the mountain and view the landscape and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; today my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but great distress. Is this part of God’s plan for me?... The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope – all these things are just parts of God’s method of making you ready for the great inheritance, which you will soon enjoy…. Do not think, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it.”

 

We dare not miss Spurgeon’s key point. When times of hardship and adversity come – and they will – we can trust God’s not caught by surprise. He’s not looking down, wringing His hands and thinking, “Oh no! What do we do now?” These circumstances are part of His plan for each of us. They’re one way the Lord uses to mold and shape us into the people He desires for us to be and to become.

 

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told the Israelites – and everyone who has been embraced into His eternal family – “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

 

Unfortunately, when things are going well – all the bills are paid and there’s still money in the bank, our jobs are going well, everyone’s healthy and the car’s purring – we’re uninclined to call out to God, to cry out to Him as our Provider and Sustainer. We might offer cursory prayers but our attitude is, “Lord, I’ve got this. I’ll let you know if I need something.”

 

More than inconsiderate, this is almost blasphemous, as if we can be our own gods – until something happens making it clear we’re not. Anyone can handle the ups of life and times when everything’s moving along smoothly on a plateau. But when the rollercoaster suddenly takes a dive, we realize how desperately we need God’s grace, power and intervention.

 

The apostles, from their own experiences, understood this. To believers in Rome the apostle Paul gave this admonition: “…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:2-4). God’s more concerned with our character than our comfort.

 

James the apostle exhorted his readers, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

One day Jesus Christ led three disciples, Peter, James and John, up a high mountain where they were treated to a true mountaintop experience. Jesus was transfigured. “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:2-3, Mark 9:3).

 

Their “rollercoaster ride” with Jesus had taken them to a thrilling peak they couldn’t have imagined. Their first reaction was to savor this moment indefinitely, in effect to camp out there. Peter, not yet fully understanding what was happening, impulsively offered to build three shelters, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

 

But then a voice from a cloud got their attention: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). Soon they were heading back down the mountain, descending into harsh and sobering reality of the valley below. Before long the exhilaration of Christ’s transfiguration would fade into the dark moments of His persecution, trial, scourging and crucifixion.

 

The gospels show the disciples riding a spiritual rollercoaster unlike anything the Lord had taken His people through before. As His followers in the 21^st century, we’re also called to such a ride, sometimes coasting along without a care in the world but other times careening downward at a terrifying rate, clinging to our faith in Jesus because there’s nothing else.

 

At such times we have God’s assurance, “I know the plans I have for you.” As Spurgeon said, they’re part of the Lord’s mechanism to prepare us for eternity with Him. So sit back and enjoy the ride!

What to Do with All Our Anxiety?

Anxiety has long been something I struggled with. Sometimes there was an identifiable reason for it; other times it was more “free-floating” anxiety, something I couldn’t quite put a finger on. These days it’s a wonder when any of us doesn’t experience anxiety, at least occasionally.

 

Just this week we’ve been watching the weather reports with meteorologists playing the part of the children’s story book character, Chicken Little. You might remember “Chick” was always running around declaring, “The sky is falling!” The same effect happens when we’re hearing of the imminent approach of “Snowmageddon” or the “storm of the century.” ‘We need bread! Milk! What if the power goes off?!’

 

At this writing it seems the forecasts have tamed somewhat for our area, moving from 6-8 inches of snow, then to snow piling up in the double digits, to ‘Well, now it’s looking more like cold temperatures with some rain and sleet.’ But at least the grocery stores were happy, selling way more than their typical supply of bread, milk, and other essentials.

 

But even if it’s not the potential for alarming weather, 21^st century living gives us more than enough cause for keeping our anxiety at peak levels. In 1977 there was a Mel Brooks film called “High Anxiety,” a parody of Alfred Hitchcock suspense films. It was a comedy, but when we’re feeling anxious and fearful about something – real or imagined – that’s no laughing matter.

 

So, how do we deal with this anxiety? Do we schedule ongoing appointments with a psychotherapist? Book a weekend getaway at a posh spa? Find a local pub to drink our cares away? Or just go to bed, pull the covers over our heads and sing the old song, “Make the World Go Away”?

 

Over time I’ve learned a far better solution is to trust God’s promises in the Scriptures. For instance, in Jeremiah 29:11-13 the Lord promised the people of Israel, 

“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

 

The context, of course, was specific for the people of Israel thousands of years ago. But God hasn’t changed since then; His promises apply just as much to His followers today as they did then. As Hebrews 13:8 declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

 

When I have a restless night or wake up feeling anxious about what the new day might bring, I like to review the apostle Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

It’s true. Circumstances might not have changed. Problems that provoke anxiety might not have gone away. But by committing whatever’s troubling us to God, we can indeed experience “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” If Paul, who faced virtually every kind of hardship and adversity we can imagine could say that with conviction, there’s no reason we can’t as well.

 

A companion verse comes to mind. The apostle Peter, Paul’s friend, also was well-acquainted with numerous trials and tribulations. Nevertheless, he could write, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

 

This wasn’t some new concept or fad conceived by 1^st century Christians, either. King David, who had to cope with backstabbing and betrayal, along with a host of other severe challenges, wrote with great confidence, “Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

 

Do you have cares and concerns that seem overwhelming? Is anxiety an unwelcomed but constant companion? Trying praying – as Paul advised – presenting your worries to the Lord. As Jesus assured His followers, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

 

Some burdens in this life are inescapable. And if you’re not feeling anxious at the moment, watching the evening news will provide more than enough anxiety for a given day. But the Lord wants to carry our burdens with us. And the great news is, He’s got lots more strength than we have! 

Never Too Early to Start Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is coming, ready or not! Recently deceased turkeys are waiting in refrigerators across the land, while some live turkeys are wiping their brows, hoping they might have gotten a reprieve for another year. Pumpkin pies are baking; cans of yams being snatched off grocery store shelves before supplies run out; Christmas parade floats nearing completion; and football fans already making their own game plans for coordinating festive dinners with their favorite gridiron clashes. 

 

Some people are even thinking seriously about what they will be thankful for this year.

 

Although the annual holiday doesn’t officially arrive until later this week, that doesn’t mean we can’t feel or express gratitude before we gather with friends and family around a table, salivating over the eagerly anticipated feast. It’s always a good time to think about – and practice – the act of being thankful.

In fact, we’re urged to maintain a continual attitude of thankfulness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we find one of Bible’s direct, yet profound verses: “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I like how another translation turns the phrase: “in everything give thanks.”

 

Now some of us might argue, in one respect or another, that it’s hard to be thankful for everything. Perhaps you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one over the past year or experienced serious financial setbacks. Maybe your own health has been a struggle. It could be challenges encountered on the job, or family issues that seem beyond resolution. Are we supposed to be thankful for those things, too?

 

We can find no better example than Job in the Bible’s Old Testament. A wealthy and prominent citizen, he suffered an incredible series of personal tragedies, including the loss of property and livestock, deaths of his children, and severe health maladies. His wife, understandably chagrined by the chain of events, didn’t think her husband should feel thankful. Obviously lacking the spiritual gifts of mercy or encouragement, she didn’t mince words: “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

 

Job’s response, despite grave adversity that seemed unending and beyond explanation, was amazingly simple and humble: “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:9-10). Good question!

 

Hopefully, as you read this many positive blessings come to your mind. Despite the continuing flood of negative news, perhaps the past year has been one of your very best. If so, that’s wonderful. However, even in times of hardship, thankfulness is not only possible – it’s also essential. 

 

For one thing, we have the promise of Romans 8:28, “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.” When facing difficulties, we might not always understand the “why” of what’s happened, but we can trust in the Lord’s goodness, love and sovereignty. He wants what’s best for us, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the time. 

 

As we read in Jeremiah 29:11, God declares, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And as a Babbie Mason song reminds us, “When you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand…trust His heart.”

 

Even though thanksgiving should be an ongoing habit year-round, I appreciate having an annual reminder built into our calendar. Besides the United States, thanksgiving holidays are observed in countries such as Brazil, Canada, Grenada, St. Lucia, Liberia and the Philippines; similar festival holidays are held in Germany, Japan and other nations.

 

Colossians 3:15-17 gives us a good description of what it might look like to cultivate and express our thankfulness, not only to God directly but also with one another:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This year, I hope we can all join in thanksgiving, not only around the dinner table as we pray, but also with uplifting words and songs, expressing gratitude to our Creator and Sustainer, our Savior and Lord, for who He is and all that He does in our lives, even in ways we do not understand. 

We Haven’t Been Given a Spirit of Fear

The other day I felt myself becoming anxious. I guess it was brought about by the constant barrage of news: the latest state of the pandemic; conflicts between the vaccine vs. no-vaccine, mask or don’t-mask camps in our society; reports of shenanigans going on in the federal government that mainstream media choose to ignore; global turmoil and the ever-present threat of terrorism; escalating violence; unsettled and sometimes severe weather; the ongoing immigration crisis, and rapidly rising prices in the grocery stores. Is that enough to feel somewhat fearful?

Imagine being a little kid with a mean parent constantly telling you, “The bogey man’s going to get you! There’s a monster under your bed!” At first you might shrug off the warnings, but after hearing them over and over, it would be hard not to believe something foul is afoot.

For more than a year-and-a-half, we’ve been subjected to the equivalent of Chicken Little’s “the sky is falling!” shrieks in the old nursery tale. It seems every day we’re hearing about terrible new developments. It gives a different slant to the saying, “No news is good news.” Because good news seems in extremely short supply these days.

 

Whether browsing social media or just walking through a retail store, we can sense the anxiety, the fear that seems to pervade everyday life. It didn’t used to be this way. I remember good old days when relative calm ruled, when worried looks were the exception rather than the rule. So, what’s the solution? How do we “immunize” ourselves from anxiety attacks?

 

What’s needed, I believe, is a return to the basics, recapturing the fundamental values that have sustained many of us through the years. For those of us who are people of faith, it means remembering our confidence is not in the government and elected officials. It’s not in the ominous words of network and cable news anchors and commentators who claim to possess the truth. It’s returning to a commitment to ”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

 

One recent morning after a restless night of sleep, I found my mind racing through some of the concerns listed above. Being a “fixer” by nature, I kept wondering what could be done, how these pressing problems could be solved and dispelled. But I knew I had no answers, and there’s little evidence that our “leaders” at the national level have any either. So who does have the answers?

 

That’s when I remembered a very important admonition about fear and anxiety: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). What does this mean? A theologian could write an entire book dissecting and analyzing this single verse, but here are a few of my own conclusions.

 

For one thing, it tells us not to fear. But I think most of us would agree that’s easier said than done. Then why does it say we don’t have “a spirit of fear”? Because God has given us to power to overcome the fears bombarding us from the world around us. We can concentrate on His love for us, and His promises that He’s interested in giving us His very best. Our “sound minds” should concentrate on truths revealed in the Scriptures.

 

In one of the major prophetic books we read the assurance, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). We find a similar promise from the writings of another prophet: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

 

I’m reminded of the account in Matthew 14:25-32, when Jesus’ disciples were in a boat at sea on a stormy night. In the wee hours, they saw Jesus walking on the sea toward them. After Jesus told them, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid,” Peter asked, “command me to come to You on the water.” When Jesus said, “Come,” the impetuous disciple stepped out of the boat. 

 

However, when he looked around and encountered the strength of the wind, Peter took his eyes off Christ. As he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord save me!” Reaching out His hand and grabbing hold of Peter’s hand, Jesus uttered words we all should take to heart: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 

There are times we feel as if we’re at sea, too, buffeted relentlessly by waves and winds way beyond our control. Desperate and dismayed, we cry out, “Lord, save me!” With His power and a love that exceeds anything we can comprehend, He promises to reach out and, with a knowing look, to ask, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” 

The Weight of ‘What If?’

As we journey through life, many difficult questions confront us. Few are more perplexing than the universal interrogative, “What if?”

You know: “What if I had done this, instead of doing that?” or, “What if I made that decision, instead of this one?” For many people, the echoes of “what if” plague them throughout their adult lives. They wonder what might have been if they had gone to a different college, if they had taken a different job, or if they had married someone else.  

Sometimes it’s a singular act: “What if I had turned left instead of right – or if I had just kept going straight?” “What if I hadn’t canceled that appointment?” “What if I had been better prepared for that interview?” “What if I had made that investment, or taken that risk I chose to avoid?”

The problem with what-if ponderings is there’s nothing we can do about them. They exist in the increasingly distant past, and no amount of wishing or remorse can restore them to the present. H.G. Wells’s fanciful time machine has yet to be invented, and even if we could send ourselves back to fateful moments in our personal histories, there’s no certainty we could change anything anyway. And if we could, what might be the impact on the “space-time continuum,” as fretted the characters in the film, “Back to the Future”?

In reality, even if  (sometimes it’s hard to escape that “what if” phrase) we could alter decisions or actions in the past, there’s no guarantee that the outcomes would have been better than what we’ve experienced.

For instance, I spent my first year of college in Houston, Texas, then transferred to the Ohio State University, where I majored in journalism. What if I hadn’t transferred? Or if I’d transferred, but not to Ohio State? I would have had a different set of friends and professors. My career path probably would have been different, perhaps dramatically so. I wouldn’t have become the ardent Buckeye fan that I am. And I wouldn’t have met my wife in a Columbus, Ohio suburb, gotten married and been blessed with the children and grandchildren we’ve had.

Sure, there are things along the way I’d like to change. More than a few, actually. But even my failures, blunders, and foolish decisions have turned into experiences from which I’ve profited and grown. We often think, “If I only knew then what I know now,” but usually we know things now because of mistakes we had to learn from then.

If there was anyone who wished he could change the past, it was the apostle Paul. A one-time zealous persecutor of those who followed Jesus Christ, he literally saw the light on the road to Damascus and became an irrepressible Christ follower himself. He sometimes reflected on his past life, but ultimately concluded, “…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

The apostle wasn’t ignoring or excusing his previous actions and attitudes, but recognized the futility of dwelling on the unchangeable past. Instead, he chose to focus on the present and the future, intent on not adding to his collection of regrets.

We also have the assurance of knowing that when we act unwisely, God already has dealt with the “what if” questions and ordained an acceptable resolution. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

We needn’t worry about foiling the Master Planner’s sovereign plans. He’s already studied our lives, from beginning to end, and made contingencies for every “what if” along the way. “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).

So fear not. “Oh, no!” isn’t part of God’s vocabulary. As the song says, “When you don’t understand, when you can’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

Perspective Makes All the Difference

Viewed from above, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
looks almost like a storybook village.

Recently I heard about a man visiting New York City for the first time. The mass of people walking down the sidewalks in front of the towering buildings, and the cars and taxicabs jostling for position on the streets, seemed chaotic and confusing. “How can anyone get anywhere, or get anything done, in this place?” he wondered.

Then a friend invited him to go up the historic Empire State Building and view Manhattan from the 86^th and 102^nd floor observatories. From those vantage points the tourist gained a very different perspective of the activity below. Traffic seemed to be moving in an orderly, controlled manner, and people (despite appearing no bigger than fleas) were following their respective courses unimpeded by the surrounding crowds.

Below, the brick streets might present an intriguing
pattern, but lack the grandeur seen from above.

Over and over I’ve realized the view from above makes things look strikingly different, as I discovered years ago while visiting the picturesque city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Below, shops seemed quaint and pleasant. But from atop the courthouse in the centrum, this community sometimes called the most photographed city in Europe took on a much greater scope and more impressive grandeur.

Life has a way of being that way, too. When we’re caught up in the muck and mire of everyday living, life often seems to be lacking any sense of order or purpose. And when we encounter inevitable adversities – family issues, work challenges, health problems, financial struggles and unexpected calamities – we become convinced that pointless chaos reigns.

At such times it helps to take a step back, if possible, to gain a better perspective. Sometimes that “step back” is achievable only with the passing of time. But often we discover the turmoil we are enduring – or have endured – had “rhyme and reason” we couldn’t comprehend at the time.

A job we thought perfectly suited for, only to see it offered to someone else. The baby arrives with problems requiring the little one to remain in neo-natal intensive care for several weeks. The air conditioner quits working, right in the most dogged days of summer. The annual checkup with the physician reveals a condition you didn’t suspect, demanding immediate attention. And so it goes.

In the moment, these crises seem overwhelming. They suddenly thrust your life into turbulence, like a ship wandering into the midst of a hurricane. How do we keep from sinking?

For people of faith, the response is usually a mixture of prayer, perseverance – and panic. Why don’t disasters give advance warning, put themselves on our calendars weeks in advance so we can adequately prepare?

Most times these crises do come to an conclusion and then – and only then – we might be able to get the “view from above,” perspective that was lacking as the storm was swirling around us.

Someone once put it this way: It’s like we’re the ground troops during a battle, while God is flying a helicopter, viewing and guiding the conflict from above.

We’ve heard it said so many times, it’s seems trite, a cliché. But it’s true just the same: Romans 8:28 states, “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.”

In the midst of whatever trial we’re facing, all we can see is NOW, the immediate. The what’s and why’s of things happening are lost to us since we’re too busy reacting to whatever circumstances present themselves at that instant. But God has the overhead view, the Empire State Building vista, where believe it or not, things aren’t as random and chaotic as they seem.

As He promises in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The Lord is saying He understands we can’t make sense of hardships and pain we’re currently experiencing, but He’s working and using them for our ultimate good.

The next time you encounter a situation that seems beyond your capacity to handle, think of yourself as standing on 5^th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. All around you are throngs of people, cars and taxis. Craziness seems to reign. Then envision yourself transported atop the Empire State Building, gazing down at the now almost serene-looking scene you just left. That’s God’s perspective, the one that matters.

The Dreaded Curveball

Although I’ve lost my boyhood love affair with baseball (these days I much prefer football and basketball, especially the college variety), I’m still aware this time of year is when Major League baseball teams are busily at work in Florida and Arizona – getting in shape, working on fundamentals, and preparing for another 162-game season.

This is when pundits predict the year’s “phenoms”, young players soon to be compared with the all-time greats in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Many of those “can’t miss” standouts will indeed miss. The reason, especially for hitters, will be a culprit known as “the dreaded late-breaking curveball.”

A friend, James, who has played some baseball in his time, has observedt:

“It curves right about the time it gets to home plate. Most hitters’ eyes are focused on where they think they are going to hit the ball – and not on the ball itself.”

Personally, I never advanced in baseball beyond the Little League level, and didn’t do very well even there. But over a span of more than six decades of living, life has thrown lots of curveballs my way. Too many times, especially when I was younger, I had an annoying habit of swinging and missing. As James noted, I was more concerned about where I would hit the “ball” than paying attention to where the “ball” was going.

So how do we deal with life’s curveballs, especially when we don’t know they’re coming – a major surprise at work, a sudden family crisis, a financial hardship that materializes out of the blue, a dire health diagnosis?

My friend offered this suggestion: “The key to dealing with the late-breaking curves life throws at us is to keep our eyes not on the problem or on what we think the solution is, but on the One who can knock the problem out of the park – on our Lord.”

That’s why I find passages like this one from my biblical friend Isaiah so comforting: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

And Isaiah’s old buddy, Jeremiah, presents this divine promise: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Even if you’ve never played an inning of baseball in your life, be assured the “curveballs” will come. So put on your batting helmet, crouch in the batter’s box, wait for the pitch – and try to keep your eye on the ball. But when you swing and miss, as we all sometimes do, be assured God is standing there with you. He won’t let you strike out.