December 7th, 2007 
Dana Fisher Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering. -1 Peter 4:12
At the end of every school year my tiny Christian school would have an outing to a small amusement park about an hour from us. There was nothing great about the park, mostly kiddie rides, but they did have one ride all us older kids loved to get in line for.
“The White Roller Coaster”. It wasn’t much to look at, an old school roller coaster made of wood. There aren’t many of these vintage coasters laying around anymore. It was rickety, it was noisy, and no matter how many times you rode it you always felt like this time could be your last and the cars could go flying off into the parking lot.
There are four phases I see: The Anticipation, The Ride, The End, The Do-Over.
The White Roller Coaster was right inside the main gates so once you got in it was a mad dash to get in line as there was always a wait. There’s always that feeling of euphoria and anticipation as you wait in line. Jittery excitement takes over as you can’t wait to get in a car and start the ride. “This is gonna be awesome. I can do this!” You’re nervous, but at the same time psyching yourself up.
I loved to sit in the back car. The back car was always the scariest. It shook more violently side to side nearly coming off the tracks. The ride was always the scariest part, whipping around turns, up 10 stories, rushing back down to earth; The screams cascading back from the front and the wind in your face. Even though you knew you were safe, there was always this “what if” scenario.
As the cars slowed to a halt in front of the operator weren’t you glad to be done? “Phew it’s over, I did it!” I finished the ride, I’m back to where I used to be(safe on the ground).
Ah, then came the do-over. LET’S DO IT AGAIN! The scary unknown was done with and you were ready to face it again. You were safe, it was all in your head, and going again will be just as safe.
You’re waiting in line again…and that pit in your stomach is back…
Isn’t that the way trials are? We start off in anticipation, “I can do all things through Christ“(Phillipians 4:13). We’re pumped, we’re ready to tackle Satan for all he’s worth. We have Jesus. Nothing he can do will break us.
Even as the trial begins, it’s so subtle. This isn’t so bad. God is good, I’m getting through. No big deal(your climbing the first 10 story hill). Then WHAM! You’re dropped 10 stories, you’re whipped blindly around a corner at 70mph. We’re scared, we feel alone, what’s next? This is so much worse than I could’ve imagined! How could this be happening!?
Jesus is with you, but maybe you don’t feel Him. Maybe you don’t see Him sitting there next to you anymore because you’re so focused on what’s in front of you. Maybe you’re saying “DO SOMETHING!” In the back of your mind you know your safe but in the here and now you’re scared. Is that a huge drop coming? Can I get off?
As the ride ends you’re relieved. Thank you Jesus! Thank you for bringing me through. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for caring for me that much. Ah, I see what that part was for, thank you Jesus, thank you.(1 Corinthians 15:57)
At this point aren’t we all back to square one? The do-over? I’m ready Lord, test me again. I’m stronger I’m better than before. I’ve learned to lean on you that much more. Like Paul don’t we accept the challenge(2 Corinthians 12)?
I had a trial last 2yrs and it was awful. If I think real hard about it I don’t think I would want it again. But it changed my life. It brought me to a place I’d never been before. As I sit here typing away I’m at the end of the ride. I’m saying “Give me more!”. It will be hard, it will be painful, but I’ll be all the better for it. One of my favorite songs says: “Lose your life, just so you can find it”. I couldn’t have put it better myself.
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