Are you prepared for storms? Are you in one right now? They are inevitable but of equal concern is… what kind of storm? The type and severity of storms varies. Storms are not necessarily devastating – they can clear the atmosphere of the humidity (tension) and bring clarity.
Obviously they can bring problems. We may not be able to avoid all storms, but we can prepare for them. One of the key elements in preparation is to be aware of what’s happening – is a storm brewing? Ignoring a storm is not logical and when the storm warnings are reinforced by others (experts) who see them, then no preparation can equal hardship. If a storm is brewing what kinds of things do you do?
Panicking is not a particularly positive response. Stock up on necessary supplies is one thing that’s proactive. To me, the worst storms are those that you didn’t prepare for, or they blindsided you. I don’t know if one simply doesn’t see them coming or don’t credit them with the force they would bring. In either case, they were storms and you were forced to wait them out.
Some storms, however, can be unexpected or sudden. These storms are the most difficult to deal with and are those personal storms of loss of a love one, divorce, financial, etc. We all face storms of all types and levels of severity. How they change us, how they help us is the determinant of the future of how we manage storms. Do you let storms teach you? Do you grow through your understanding?
In scripture, one of the more remembered parables is when the disciples were in a boat and a storm came up. They woke Jesus because they were afraid they would perish. (People do tend to turn to Him in a crisis.) What did He do – He calmly spoke to the storm and said, “Peace. Be still.” And the storm subsided. I doubt that we have the faith that if we were to speak to our storm and say those words, that they would be heeded. But the characteristic of calm we can emulate. In the face of chaotic reactions, we can smooth the waters through our own behavior of facing the storm calmly.
