God Cancelled Our Anniversary Cruise

     Not long ago, a woman in a Christian small group told me this story.  She said that she and her husband had decided to take a cruise for their 30th wedding anniversary.  So they booked a cruise and prepaid the fare.

     Then one morning while praying at work, a feeling came over her that they shouldn’t go on the cruise.  While she was puzzling over this feeling, her phone rang.  It was her husband calling.  He said that the Holy Spirit had just given him the impression that they shouldn’t go on the cruise.

     The woman said it always makes her cry to tell the story.  But the Holy Spirit had given both of them the same guidance at the same time.  So they cancelled the cruise and continued their normal lives.

     Then, a few days later, while driving in their car, the husband suddenly developed severe stomach pains.  The woman drove him directly to a hospital and found that he had a dangerous stomach hernia.  He was operated on immediately and made a full and rapid recovery.

     The woman told me, “I’ve often wondered what would have happened if we had been at sea on the cruise when his pains started.  God always protects us,” she said, “even when we don’t understand why He’s doing it.”

     The early Christians agreed.  They said that God is able to keep us safe during all harm and danger.  Of course, we can’t avoid the fact that we live in an imperfect world where accidents happen and where crime and disease strike.  But God always provides a way for us to avoid, escape, or overcome our troubles.  How many times can you remember when God helped you through harm and danger?