The other day, I went into my office building to work. It took 25 minutes on the interstate to get there. Once I took my exit and got to the street I needed to turn on, my tire pressure light came on.
Once I heard the “ding” and realized what it was, I’d decided to go after work to have my tires checked. By the time I made it to the parking lot, which was about a minute up the road, my dashboard showed how much air was in each tire. The tire that was low was at 18 psi and needed to be at 36. By the time I made it to the speed bump (about 12 seconds of driving), my tire was at 16 psi. I headed to a Goodyear Tire store that was right across the parking lot from my job. It took me about 2 minutes to get there, but upon arrival, my tire was sitting at 10 psi.
I ended up leaving my car and walking to work. About an hour later, the gentleman working there called and told me that they couldn’t repair my tire because there was a large piece of steel lodged in it. This meant that I had to purchase a new tire.
Now, I was slightly frustrated about the new tire but majorly grateful that my tire didn’t blowout on the interstate. I tried thinking about all the places I’d driven, trying to figure out where I could have driven over the thing stuck in my tire. It could have been anywhere, and I have no idea if this was a slow leak situation or if I had just run over whatever caused it.
Either way, I was close enough to help where I didn’t need to call my roadside service or come out of the office to a flat tire.
Life’s Slow Leaks Don’t Catch God Off Guard
Yes, this did get me to thinking. Many times, we travel through life and have various situations that come against us – these would be our flat tires. Now, it is so easy to become frustrated, angry, hurt, all of those emotions. I am not telling you that you shouldn’t feel any or all of these, but I am telling you to assess the situation.
My tire did not blow while I was driving 60 MPH. No, it leaked slowly as I was going 35, then more swiftly as I was driving 5. My point is that, though you may feel like your tire pressure is going at an expedited pace, God will be there for you, even if you do have a “blowout”. He sure will, He will be there to be your help (like Goodyear Tire) when that large piece of steel comes from nowhere.
Before you disagree, think about the fact that you have not completely lost your mind. Yes, there have been times when you felt you would, I have had those times, too! But, God has kept us. Of course, there have been days when you wanted to give up, today may even be that day, but God is with you.
My careful driving did not keep me from having to purchase a new tire unexpectedly, just like my relationship with God does not keep me from some hardships.
But, like that Goodyear across the parking lot, He is right there when I need Him.
So, What’s the Play Call?
We won’t always be able to gauge when we will have a “slow leak” of things coming at us. We may be more surprised when we have that major life “blowout”, but we have to know that God is there. Here are a few things to remember when life’s tire pressure is low:
- Trust God. I know it may seem like a difficult task at times, but He knows exactly what to do about whatever problem you may be having. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
- Pray. Prayer is communication with God, so keep those lines open. I have learned that even when I feel helpless, talking to Him calms these nerves of mine. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Get to your help. I had to make my way to that tire place, all while praying I’d make the 2-minute drive without a complete flat. By the way, calling God’s name will get you to Him. “Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” Psalms 105:4
- Think good thoughts. This can seem hard as well, especially when it seems everything is going wrong. Remember, God is keeping you. Allow your mind and heart to dwell on the good things. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
- Be grateful. Even if the only thing you can think of is that you woke up another day. Having a heart of gratitude makes room for God to work on your behalf. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We cannot help having a few flats along the way in this life, but we can let God be the “Goodyear” in our lives.
