I’m not a fan of rollercoasters. I never have been and, generally, I stay away from them, even the little ones. Yet, that’s not always possible. At times I’ve been with a group of friends and I don’t want them to know I’m scared. So, I force a smile and stand in line.

The queue is always painfully long. The whole time I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ I’m flicking through different options in my mind seeing if there is a way out. There isn’t, so I quietly stand there waiting my turn.

I reach the front and the attendant smiles and calls me forward. I think they can smell the fear because there’s laughter in their eyes. I find a seat and pull down the restraining bar. Everyone’s in and the carriages begin to move. They slowly begin their climb upwards. My eyes can’t believe it, ‘Are we really going all the way up there?’ All the time my mind is racing; I’m trying to figure out if this is safe or not.

Finally, we get to the summit. As we go over the top the whole thing speeds up, now we’re in free fall. My stomach is about 100m behind me, my eyes are closed and I’m inwardly  screaming, ‘Please can I get off!’ But I can’t. I have to ride to the end with all the ups and downs.

Have you noticed – life can often feel like a rollercoaster? There’s a book in the Bible called Ecclesiastes. In it we read that there is ‘a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.’ It’s a reminder that life is not all plain sailing. As we travel from beginning to end there will be hard days and easier days; there will be times of joy and times of sadness. We won’t always like it.

As I write this article, we find ourselves in one of those harder times. The country is in lockdown, an unseen enemy prowls about outside and all of our lives have been affected. Where do you turn in times like these?

Over the last few weeks I’ve been encouraged with some of the statements the Bible makes about God. It tells us that God is a refuge. A safe place in the storms of life. It tells us that God is a rock. A firm place to stand as the winds batter. It tells us that God is an ever-present help. No matter where we are, God is close and able to help. These pictures have been a comfort to me, and I put them here, hoping they may be a comfort to you too.

If you want to know more about God and life with him, why not visit our YouTube channel. During these weeks where we are unable to meet we will be putting our services on this channel for people to watch. You are welcome to join us on a Sunday or whatever day works for you. I hope you all keep safe and well, and that you will be comforted by God in times of trouble.