Sisters and brothers, when you’re taken off guard by unsettling news, a scary diagnosis, a harsh disappointment, or any form of unexpected turbulence, your Rescuer is near. He is right there in the storm with you. And when you respond by going back to familiar false refuges, his forgiveness and strengthening comfort are still yours! Resisting sexual temptation includes rehearsing your Lord’s mercy to you. His purposes will prevail even still—to make you more like Jesus for his glory and your rest.

I traveled recently to sunny California on a day with absolutely beautiful weather. From Philadelphia’s crisp autumn air, through the open skies of the Midwest and making our way westward, blue and storm-less skies enveloped our plane. Peaceful! But, you may wonder, what does a smooth flight have to do with resisting sexual temptation?

Just as I received a cup of hot coffee and another of cold water, unexpected turbulence hit. As the plane rattled and rocked, I desperately managed to hold one cup in each hand. I gazed intently at the sloshing liquids while I sought to keep them steady, hoping to not make a mess or embarrass myself. Ever been there?

Our plane hit “clear air turbulence,” defined by the Federal Aviation Administration as “sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent buffeting of aircraft.”[1]

I mean, what’s not to like about unexpected, “severe” jostling that causes “violent buffeting” of the mode of transportation you’re dependent upon . . . at 30,000 feet above ground?!

What Is Unexpected Turbulence?

Unexpected turbulence hits our lives in all kinds of ways. It can prompt temptations and emotional knee jerk reactions—and it can lead to sin. Even amid long stretches of resisting sexual temptation’s pull toward things like porn, an unholy relationship, and various sexual behaviors, a surprise jostling can threaten our resolve if we’re not prepared. Can you relate to any of these:

• A bomb drops at work (after a recent positive performance review), and suddenly you have an urge to look at porn after months of resisting.
• Your spouse explodes for no reason, it seems, and you’d just had a beautiful and intimate conversation earlier in the day. Scrolling social media (including former lovers’ pages) consumes you into the night.
• A meeting you’d worked hard to prepare for goes sideways. Overwhelmed by disappointment, you head home and grab the bottle of wine or bag of chips (maybe both), after a long season of moderation.

Resisting Sexual Temptation by Preparing Now

God’s Word helps us prepare now for encounters with suffering, which are most likely on the horizon. When these areas of unexpected turbulence hit, they will jostle us. For help resisting sexual temptation, consider these four things from Psalm 57 to pray through when turbulence strikes.

1. Cry Out to God Most High

David is on the run from Saul, hiding in a cave, jostled and fearful as he feels like one “in the midst of lions” and “fiery beasts” (Ps. 57:4).

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