Pastor Ray's Daily Devotionals
Age And Experience Can Help With Adversity | July 25, 2023
By Pastor Ray Parascando
I recently saw a picture on social media of a roller-coaster descending a steep drop. People in the cars were screaming and holding the safety bars tightly, except one man! He was calmly looking forward as if he were riding a merry-go-round. The picture caption said, "Jet fighter pilot on vacation."
Air Force fighter pilots have a physical, draining job. Their bodies are under constant strain because they face up to nine times the force of gravity. They have to crane their neck to keep watch on their enemy. Often, to maintain a tactical advantage, their ligaments strain, neck joints are pressured, and their internal organs are jostled in flight. It has been reported that a jet fighter feels like they were in a car accident after landing. Of course, this is secondary to the pilot's mental and emotional stress if the jet is in combat! The experiences in battle would make any roller-coaster seem like a carousel to a jet fighter pilot.
We stand to learn a lot from our experiences, especially the ones that involve trouble. Like that jet fighter, you may have been in some problematic situations. Maybe you were being fired on by your foes. Perhaps there was some turbulence or someone on your tail. Possibly the physical pain of your problem has drained you. Regardless of the backstory, you have the experience to draw upon that will help you with the roller-coaster rides of life.
Job 12:12 says, "Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding."
With age comes wisdom that can help us in tough times if we listen to God and seek His kingdom plan first. If we run from God or back to a bad habit or destructive person, we will not learn from our experiences. Instead, we may incur more damages and increase our pain. The perspective of Scripture is that we should take inventory of our troubles and try and squeeze a life lesson from the difficulty.
By God's grace and our application of His wisdom, we can press forward and rise above our adversity.
By Pastor Ray Parascando
I recently saw a picture on social media of a roller-coaster descending a steep drop. People in the cars were screaming and holding the safety bars tightly, except one man! He was calmly looking forward as if he were riding a merry-go-round. The picture caption said, "Jet fighter pilot on vacation."
Air Force fighter pilots have a physical, draining job. Their bodies are under constant strain because they face up to nine times the force of gravity. They have to crane their neck to keep watch on their enemy. Often, to maintain a tactical advantage, their ligaments strain, neck joints are pressured, and their internal organs are jostled in flight. It has been reported that a jet fighter feels like they were in a car accident after landing. Of course, this is secondary to the pilot's mental and emotional stress if the jet is in combat! The experiences in battle would make any roller-coaster seem like a carousel to a jet fighter pilot.
We stand to learn a lot from our experiences, especially the ones that involve trouble. Like that jet fighter, you may have been in some problematic situations. Maybe you were being fired on by your foes. Perhaps there was some turbulence or someone on your tail. Possibly the physical pain of your problem has drained you. Regardless of the backstory, you have the experience to draw upon that will help you with the roller-coaster rides of life.
Job 12:12 says, "Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding."
With age comes wisdom that can help us in tough times if we listen to God and seek His kingdom plan first. If we run from God or back to a bad habit or destructive person, we will not learn from our experiences. Instead, we may incur more damages and increase our pain. The perspective of Scripture is that we should take inventory of our troubles and try and squeeze a life lesson from the difficulty.
By God's grace and our application of His wisdom, we can press forward and rise above our adversity.
Posted in Faith
Recent
Archive
2025
June
God's Forgiveness And Our Failures Faithfulness And Flag DayFollowingPraying About Panic And PainEncouragement Is Necessary Oh, Be Careful Little EyesGod's Promise To Those Who Wait | June 19, 2022 Protect Your TorchTrust God To ProvideGod Is Our Mighty Fortress Kindness CountsAre You Weakening Your Conscience?Maintain A Healthy Conscience Show Mercy Even When People Are MeanRelease Control Of Your Circumstances
July
August
September
October
God's Miraculous PowerYom Kippur, The Jewish Day of AtonementWaiting On God For DirectionTrust God, Not Your GutWinning The Battle Of WorryPrayer Of MosesBlessing of ForgivenessHelp From HeavenHandling Family Drama God Is A Dependable Source of Strength Getting In God's PresenceWe See A Battle, The Lord Sees Our Victory | October 20, 2025Discouragement Is Curable Seeking God's Blessing | October 22, 2025Waiting Can Wear You Out God's Timing Is TrustworthyLive By God's Power Give God First Place In Your ScheduleMonday Morning Beliefs
2024
January
Focus On FaithfulnessBe Faithful Where You Are NowFaithfulness Requires Patience God's Perfect FaithfulnessGod Blesses FaithfulnessStart Your Year In ChurchGod's Forecast Of Forgiveness Avoid Self-Pity You Can Overcome Distraction White As SnowJumpstart Your Health With FastingMaintain An Active Church Membership Your Most Important DecisionTake Ownership Of Unhealthy Choices
February
Take Notes When Reading The Bible Alternatives To AnxietyYou Need A SquadGod Has Super Bowls Of BlessingFocus On Obedience, Not the Odds We Accomplish More Together Kindness Is Good For Your HealthKindness Is Remembered And RewardedLoose Lips Sink CredibilityKind Words Promote HealingEvaluate All ExcusesTreat People RightComplaining Is Not HealthyLeap Forward In Your Faith
March
No Comments