The woman seated next to me on the flight didn’t talk until we landed on the runway. Then she unloaded. “That pilot was horrible. The plane was rocking back and forth so bad I thought I was going to throw up.” Upon questioning her, I found she had only flown once before and that she also gets car sick.

I offered an explanation: “There are thunderstorms in the area, causing turbulence. My flight before this one was just as bad.”

She would hear none of it, convinced we had a flawed pilot, one who couldn’t control the aircraft. I envisioned her perception that he deserved the label of a “bad driver” as he flipped his “steering wheel” back and forth.

We went our separate ways, but I’ve thought about her obstinate point of view and refusal to accept the truth.

Humankind often gives God the same kind of report card–a definite negative, the “worst ever” when it comes to the way He handles situations in our lives. No 10-star rating for Him on our review!

Horrible, difficult things happen in life and in the world. Why do they have to be so hard? Why doesn’t God make life easier?

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” are the lyrics from a popular song. Note this even comes from the secular world, not the religious one. Yet it is a gem of truth.

God has His own version of boot camp, the initial training session for new military recruits. He wants us to be the best version of ourselves, His creation. That does not come easy. “Old habits die hard.” Self has a definite will of its own.

He creates personalized, custom-designed tests in order to make us stronger and fit to live in His Kingdom with Him. Some are positively grueling, lasting for long periods of time with no end in sight. Others require we walk through spiritual fire in order to bring about purification. The training continues throughout life.

At times it feels like God is nowhere to be found–quite literally AWOL–as we flail about, trying to get our bearing, find purchase or footing. In fact, many times we know for certain He has disappeared . . . or so it seems.

What we don’t see or realize, though, is the fact that, while we rock and roll with the intensity of the storm, our Heavenly Father sits at the helm, in the pilot seat. He knows what He is doing. He is taking us through as only the most qualified and capable can.

My fellow passenger did not grasp that point. The turbulence was real, but a good pilot was at the controls. Even though the ride was rough, he possessed the necessary expertise and experience to navigate the upheaval. And he delivered us safely to our final destination.

So it is with God.

Not to be forgotten: Our Heavenly Father has a point and purpose for everything, even the storms.