Some say it's hard to see any good during times of trouble. I can attest to this after my experience recently...
I had a 13 hour flight from Toronto to Tokyo and another 7 hours from Tokyo to Singapore. My first flight was delayed due to airline tardiness. Two hours I waited in Pearson before embarking on the aircraft. Midway through the flight, I woke up dizzy and sick. "A slight headache," I thought to myself. I decided to sleep it off but the turbulent flight made my condition worse. Seven hours through the flight I had a pulsating headache that occurred every time I wake. It was unbelievably painful. To make matters worse, I left my medicine on my hand-carry luggage on the top compartment, which would be a hassle to retrieve inside a crowded airplane. There, I felt the urge to pray as God reminded me that Jesus had taken all sickness away when He died on the cross. No sickness can possess this body because He has paid the price with His blood that was shed. I made it through the flight without any problem. As soon as I got out of the plane, I took my medicine.
By the time I arrive in Narita, my connecting flight to SG has already boarded. There was no way I could catch it now since I still had to go through a line-up for security check. There I prayed again that there would be no issues in rescheduling my flight plans. I rushed to the gate to find out that my flight had already departed. I arrived just in time as the attendant was paging my name in the PA. She had already booked me in the next flight leaving in an hour. The only problem would be retagging my luggage which would take a usually long process. I walked to the gate of the rescheduled flight. It was already boarding passengers as soon as I checked in. The attended confirmed my seating and told me to wait as they retag my luggage. To make matters worse, I recalled the attendant back in Toronto didn't give me any luggage tag. I guess that's why the process took a while. The line up died down as passengers complete boarding. I was still waiting for any news on my luggage. Another 15 minutes or so passed by and I was told to go ahead inside as they search for my luggage. I gave them a description and went on inside.
The plane was already filled with passengers. Inside, I felt bad for making them wait. I took my seat and waited for take-off. There I had time to reflect on the events that happened so far.
I remember inquiring God about the issue of suffering, how we are able to stand in faith during times of hardship and labor. It's very easy to think about it in theory, but the real test comes when you are experiencing suffering. You can't see the sun shining during a storm, but nevertheless it still exists. God is still with us along the way even when we cannot feel Him beside us. I can only see His goodness throughout my suffering when all has calmed down and I had the time to reflect. God is good. He will never leave us. No matter what, His love is ever-present. Nothing can separate us from the love He has for us.
This I will never forget.
