Traffic… noun or verb?  Most of us use it as a noun to indicate vehicles moving in an area along a street; however, today it is commonly used to mean the commercial sexual exploitation of children.  For over two years I’ve studied trafficking, which is the largest growing crime in the world. I’ve come to know and love some of the victims. 
Monday night I boarded a plane with a young victim traveling to a treatment center so she could reclaim her life. She’d never flown before and was extremely nervous.  We sat on the runway for two hours waiting out a storm.  Finally, we got clearance to take off. From the moment we lifted off, she was glued to the window taking it all in like a child on an amusement park ride.  The amusement wore off quickly when we hit turbulence.  She screamed, cried, and hyperventilated into the barf bag.  It was heartbreaking to watch the struggle.  I couldn’t do anything except sit beside her, hold her hand and reassure her, praying.  When we finally landed, she was so happy.  She walked off the plane and said, “Look at this tile.  I love this tile.  I’m so glad to see it, I could kiss it.” 
How many times do we find ourselves in the same situation as my young friend?  We are excited about life and all that’s before us until it gets hard.  Jesus told us we’d have difficulty, yet when it happens we immediately begin to think He’s abandoned us [John 16:33].  He will never abandon us [Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5].  He promises to go through life with us, by our side [Psalm 23:4].  He also cries out to the Father on our behalf [Romans 8:34].  He tells us in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The next morning when we woke up, my friend looked at me and said, “I thought about the flight the whole night.  It’d scared the ____ out of me, but if I had to do that to get to today, it was worth it.  I’ve never prayed like that in my entire life.  For the first time ever I felt God right there.  He had me in His hands, just like you said.  He felt real.”  
If things are difficult, scary, or uncomfortable in your life, talk to Him. Pray. He’s got you in His hands.  He’s right there and He loves you.  You’re not alone.