Few people have not heard the tragic story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. As the great ship steamed across the icy north Atlantic on the night of April 15, 1912 the lookout radioed the message to the control room of an iceberg dead ahead. A most logical yet unfortunate command was issued for a hard port turn, trying to avoid it altogether, As the stern of the great ship came around it hit the iceberg broadside at full speed collapsing the starboard side. Five of her sixteen watertight compartments flooded almost immediately. As designed, she could lose four and stay afloat. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew aboard 1,500 perished. Photographs of the wreckage confirm eyewitness accounts that the ship broke in half upon impact, sinking within minutes. Nautical engineers believe that if the command had been given to full reverse engines the great ship would have been slowing and impact would have been with the strongest part of the ship, the bow, rather than the weakest part of the side. It is doubtful that she would have sunk at all, and even if so there would have been ample time for most of the passengers and crew to have been rescued.
Human nature being what it is we want to avoid pain at all costs. When in the course of our lives we find an iceberg dead ahead of trials or tribulation, of job loss or illness, of family strife or financial setback, we want to avoid it. The world (and social media) would have us believe that life is to be one long uninterrupted pleasure cruise. The flesh wants desperately to be happy and secure. And the Devil insists that if God were good these things would never happen, at least not to us.
So how should we think about and approach icebergs? The Bible paints a very different view.
- James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, knowing this that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)
- David said “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have kept Thy Word.” and “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:67, 71)
- Peter tells us “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13) And speaks of manifold grace for manifold trials (1:6, 4:10).
- Paul assures us that nothing can separate a believer from the love of God, but that in any and all sufferings we are more than conquerors through Him. And that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28-39)
- Job, who arguably suffered as much as any person in recorded history, said going into his trials “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him and maintain my ways before Him.” (13:10) And coming out of the trials said “I have always heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen You.” (42:5), meaning he had a closer, more intimate relationship with God as a result of his sufferings than he would have ever had otherwise.
So how should we face an iceberg? No one in their right mind looks for trouble, pain or suffering but when God sovereignly allows difficulties to enter our lives we have a couple of choices. We can try to escape and avoid them at all costs by turning to the endless options offered by the world and the Devil, and which invariably allows the impact to come at the weakest point of our lives, being our own resources and abilities. Or we can choose to face them with the strongest part of our lives which is our faith in God Himself, allowing the impact to come against the Truth of His Word and in the power of His Holy Spirit. One way leads to tragedy and loss, the other to victory and blessing. When an iceberg appears on our horizon, may we slow down, the a deep breath, and allow our Captain to give us wisdom and guidance.