How to Have Faith On the Roller Coaster of Life
Do you ever feel like life is a crazy roller-coaster ride? One minute you are climbing high . . . life is going well and you are able to get up each day with hope and enthusiasm. And the next . . . you’re taking a giant nose-dive riddled with sadness, fear, and anxiety.
I’ve been trying to imagine myself walking with Jesus and the disciples through Matthew 17.
One minute they are literally on the mountain top…
Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Matthew 17:1–3
And then…
After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Matthew 17:22-23
Talk about the confusion of an emotional roller coaster . . . one minute they were anticipating that Jesus was going to reveal His power, glory, and majesty to the world and the next He was predicting His death.
But one thing was certain for the disciples . . . they had been with Jesus for three years. They had heard His teaching and seen His miracles. They lived with Him and they believed!
Maybe life doesn’t make sense right now. There certainly are plenty of things to make the ride challenging and emotional. But when we live with Jesus, when Jesus lives with and within us, we can believe. We can trust His promises to give us what we need no matter how extreme the ride.
Will you pray with me as I ask God to hold us close when life’s roller-coaster ride is confusing and frightening.
A Prayer to Have Faith On the Roller-Coaster of Life
Father, I am confused. I don’t understand so much of what’s going on in the world. One minute I’m trying to find a glimmer of hope and the next I’m overwhelmed by anxiety. Please hold me. Make me aware of Your constant presence. Help me remember that you are with and within me.
Please give me discernment and wisdom through the TRUTH of Your Word and help me KNOW with absolute confidence that You will never leave me or forsake me. I am Yours and You are LORD OF ALL! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If you are confused and tired of riding the highs and lows of life, please remember that the Lord is with you . . . you are not alone.
The One who revealed His glory on a mountain top and His love on the cross is the Great I AM, the resurrected King of kings and Lord of lords.
And the father of lies who wants to overwhelm your emotions with fear and confusion . . . well, he has been defeated!
So, on today’s note write…
I am not alone on life’s emotional roller-coaster. The Lord is always with me.
God bless you as you surrender you confusion and fear to the One who will never ever leave you.
I so need to remember that Jesus is with me and within me. I do feel I’ve been on that roller coaster as of late, Deb. Thanks for these encouraging words!
Me too, Martha! Me too! Blessings!
Same here, Deb. The yo-yo of my emotions wear me out at times. Im in a great tug of war at times. The enemy delights in yanking joy right out from under me, especially lately. Thank you for your uplifting and comforting words for today…and I absolutely love that I get to visit with you daily now! I love starting my morning with you! Blessings coming through!!
Kathy, thank you so very much for your kind encouragement. I also appreciate your honesty in sharing your struggle with your emotions. It’s a blessing to know I’m not alone! God be with you!
Hi Deb the Roller Coaster message came just in time for my sadness. My daughter who has mental health issues just cancelled an important surgery that was to be done today, took me months to have her booked. Im so upset until I read the rollercoaster write up. Thank you, it brightened my day. God Bless u for writing all this in Jesus name.
Pauline, I am so very sorry! It is so hard to watch our children make unwise decisions no matter what age they are. I’m praying for you and for your daughter. May God be with you and bless you!