“There is no situation I can get into that God cannot get me out.” Evangelist James Brown

I read a story about James Brown that serves as an excellent illustration on trusting God when we lose control over our circumstances.

Brown was taking flight lessons one day when his instructor told him to put the plane into a deep and extended dive. Brown was scared and unprepared for what happened next. The engine stalled, and the aircraft started plunging downward, entirely out of control. It was then that he realized: His instructor was not going to help him at all. “After a few seconds, which seemed like an eternity,” he recalls, “my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation.”

Brown would not have it. He was furious at the instructor and started to vent his frustrations. The instructor did not seem to be bothered by his outburst, and calmly said: “There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again.”

Brown writes: “At that moment, God seemed to be saying to me: ‘Remember this (…) there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right.’”

Fortune magazine’s headlines on April 23 read: “Unemployment rate soars past 20% — and the U.S. has now lost 26.5 million jobs.”

The majority of the 26 million Americans facing unemployment probably met the news of the “reopening” of the economy with a sigh of relief. After all, once “Phase 1” of the COVID-19 recovery plan is implemented, several businesses will reopen, and many jobs should become available.

But to another large portion of the population, the news was not received with the same excitement.

For those who lost loved ones, those who are sick, and many healthcare workers who have witnessed first-hand the deadly effects of this virus, reopening the economy is not their priority. Their perspective is different.

As I think about both opinions, I can clearly understand the concerns and frustrations. My family did not escape the economic impact of this crisis, and I have dear friends and some friend’s family members who are fighting for their lives against this horrific enemy. I truly understand both sides.

But as I was reading my bible this morning, after praying for our country and for wisdom for our leaders, my eyes rested on a verse that reminded me of who is ultimately in control of the world:

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs, chapter 21.

In Solomon’s day, kings possessed absolute, unquestionable authority. Democracy was non-existent, and their words and decisions were perceived as divine. But this proverb offers a different perspective concerning governing authorities. It reminds us that God, not worldly rulers, has ultimate government over the world’s events. Even though they don’t always realize it, every leader in history has been under God’s sovereign control. It is a concept that is hard to grasp, I know, but it’s true, nonetheless. And it should give us pause. Better yet, it should fill us with hope and peace.

Even though they don’t always realize it, every leader in history has been under God’s sovereign control. @AJC #MondayThoughts #MondayMotivation @covid19recovery #Covid19response Click To Tweet

Whether you find yourself reasonably unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis, or your world turned upside down because of it. Whether your heart is filled with contempt toward our leaders, or you applaud the reopening of the economy. Whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or filled with fear because they are among the sick, will you take a moment today and wrap your mind around the truth behind the lesson James Brown’s flight instructor wisely taught him that day? If you are God’s child, there is no situation that you can get in that he cannot help you get out. Just look back! He has done it before. Remind your heart to believe it once again.

If you are God’s child, there is no situation that you can get in that he cannot help you get out. Just look back! He has done it before. Remind your heart to believe it once again. @AJC #MondayThoughts #MondayMotivation… Click To Tweet

And if frustration against those in power threatens to steal your peace and blemish your testimony, anchor your heart on this truth: God, not kings, is in ultimate control of the universe. Trust him. He is still on the throne.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Read it on the AJC Website: Here.

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22 Comments

  1. Well said!!! We must pray for our leadership that they will get wisdom from God and obey HIM!

    1. We do, Chasity! They are having to face difficult decisions and I have been praying daily for wisdom and strength for them.
      Love you, my friend!

    1. That’s it! We know who holds our future and that is the King of all Kings! Praise Him!
      Blessings to you, Martha!

  3. Gonna be a good study week. That’s the reality the world needs to recognize and transform to “right now”. This the reality people need to know and understand is required of us to be obedient to;…not Kings;”right now” to hear from God to HEAL OUR LAND. Amen.

  5. I feel just the same way–we can’t live in quarantine for ever, yet I fear a worse outbreak when we start going out again. I’m thankful I’m not the one who has to make the big decisions. Our church just finished going through the book of Daniel, and this point was emphasized over and over–that ultimately God is in control over and through every ruler.

    We lived in Atlanta for a few years, and I am thankful you have opportunity to be a light in the AJC.

    1. That’s so cool, Barbara! I Wish you still lived here!
      We have to be so careful not to allow what we hear to govern our hearts. We must be wise, but not fearful. That’s when we must draw the line.
      Blessings to you!

  6. This is definitely the point God makes in Scripture as well as he demonstrated that Cyrus was really working for HIM, and that he could make the head of the Roman empire wake up one morning with an itch to know how many subjects he had–just so that prophecy about the birth of His Son could be fulfilled.
    When trouble is close to home, we forget everything we know about God’s sovereignty and his goodness.

    1. So true, Michele! That’s why we must anchor our hearts and minds in His truth and His Word!
      Blessings to you, Michele!

  7. So encouraging, Patricia, thank you. I have thought of the verse about God turning the hearts of King’s too. The plane story is such a wonderful illustration- I’ll remember that!

    1. Thank you, sweet Bethany! It’s so awesome to have a God who never sleeps in His job 🙂 We know He is in total control and that should give us great peace! Blessings, sister!

  8. Wow…that quote by Brown is very powerful. No situation that God can’t get us out of. Indeed! Thanks for this light of encouragement in the midst of a dark situation. Much needed.

    1. You are so welcome, Lisa! There is no darkness our God cannot shine Light on.
      I am so grateful for you being part of our community! Blessings!

  9. Love this on so many levels: yes, God is in control, yes, there is no situation He can’t get us out of, and yes, He is always working in the background! His plans and purposes will not fail.

    1. Praise God, Jerralea! I am so grateful that the article spoke to you. It’s a blessing to have you in our community!

    1. I thank God for that, Lauren! So glad you stopped by! Be blessed, sister.

  11. Such a good word, Patricia. Even when we look at the Bible, leaders were under God’s control, He used them for His purposes. Thankful He is still sitting on His righteous and holy throne and is CEO of the world and our world. He’s large and in charge!

    1. Amen, Karen! It gives me such peace and joy when I think that He is the only One who is truly in control. Praise Him!

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