Today it’s hot and humid, and we’re having intense thunderstorms. The weather forecast is calling for such storms every day this week. Each day has started out beautifully—blue skies, sunshine, singing birds—the calm before the storm.
I love thunderstorms: the sheer force of Mother Nature’s power on display; the moodiness they invoke; even their scariness can be a little exhilarating (from a safe distance!). But storms can also leave a trail of destruction as we’ve seen with hurricanes, tornados, flash flooding, forest fires, earthquakes, tsunamis and hailstorms. Even these thunderstorms have produced high winds, breaking tree branches and potentially downing power lines.
Sitting here, watching this weather from the safety and comfort of my home, reminded me of the storms that we can experience in our lives. Just as nature’s storms come, so do our life storms. When natural storms are on the horizon, we often (and hopefully) get warnings in advance. Weather forecasters track the storm systems and provide instructions on what to do. We’re put on alert and told how to evacuate, if need be, in order to seek shelter in safer places.
All of us will experience nature’s storms and life’s storms in some form or another. There’s often no escaping either one. We can have storms in our finances, our relationships, our health, our work, our spiritual life. We may even experience more than one major storm in our lifetime. Every day won’t always be blue skies and sunshine. The storms in our lives may come with warning signs, but sometimes we don’t heed these warnings, and we keep going.
Like nature’s storms, our life storms can be frightening. Some of them can feel like tsunamis. Yet each storm has something to teach us, to challenge us, to help us grow. We can’t always stop or control a storm. We can’t necessarily get out of it or run ahead of it. We usually have to go through it. However, we don’t have to go through it alone. Walking through a storm with faith helps us to see and understand what God is trying to show us. God is alway there. How we navigate a storm is up to us.
How can we weather a storm?
- Start a gratitude journal and focus on the things we’re grateful for.
- The right attitude during a storm is important: will we complain or whine the entire time?
- Don’t go through it alone: have a friend to talk to, ask friends to pray.
- Use this time to focus on God and His plan.
- Some storms last a few days, some longer; don’t rush the process. Keep a journal about everything learned during a storm.
- Take care of ourselves: get plenty of rest, eat healthy, and exercise.
- Admit to God that we may not like what we’re going through.
- Be kind to ourselves. Storms aren’t easy.
- Surrender our control.
- Remember we’re in a storm, and we’ll come out of it eventually.
Just as storms are real, our struggles are real. However, it’s important to remember that after every storm, the sun comes out.
What can we learn from the storms of life?
- Storms can increase our faith and our strength by focusing our eyes on God and relying on his power.
- Storms can change us; we grow and learn new things about ourselves.
- Storms can teach us to be more compassionate and to share our lessons so we can help others.
- Storms can show us what’s really important.
- Storms can instill perseverance and patience.
We’ll always have storms in our lives either from Mother Nature or through our personal experiences. They’re both a part of the cycle of life. Our attitude, focus, patience and humility will determine how we come through.
Satan is always ready to knock is down. What I love about the storms of nature is God showing is his overpowering strength. His constant victory over Satan. He lost his grip on me and I know God has me. He loves me and He’s my keeper. I won’t let go and neither will He let go of me. This is awesome. I have my LORD helping every sheep of the way.
Thank you, Marie. I love this blog. I do enjoy watching the rain, seeing lightning, and hearing the loud booming thunder!!!
Plus, it reminds me of repentance; the cleansing of my soul.
I am always inspired by your blogs. They are all so enlightening. I can’t wait till see what you’re going you write next.
Thank you for the encouraging words.
Yes, with God we can see storms differently. He will always carries us through the storm.
Yes, I love the smell of nature after a storm. Everything is crisp and clean.
I’m grateful I can walk with you.. God has a beautiful plan for you.
Such a powerful and timely lesson! Thank you for the reminder. ❤
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading the blog.
You’re welcome
The storms in my life help me grow stronger and more patient. I’m so glad God walks through each one with me. He has also given me support through family, friends, and neighbors. Thank you for the list of resources we have to help through each storm.
It’s good to have a good support system.
Yes, having God beside us makes it easier to walk through the storm.
Thank you Marie for your words of wisdom, Sue Todd shared this with me. The storm of losing the love of my life has been so difficult. I pray one day life will be easier.
I’m sorry for your loss. Everything takes time. Don’t rush the grieving process. I’m so happy you have beautiful memories to reflect on.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Love the stormy weather but don’t like to walk through them. I must keep reminding myself God will walk with me. I know He has a great plan for me and will use all of my storms. Thank you for your wisdom!
Yes, He has great plans for you.
Totally relate to this and this powerful message!
Thank you.
Yes, I know you have walked through some tough storms this past year.
This storm is a tsunami for over a year now!
That’s for sure. It’s been a long storm. Praying we are slowly coming out of it.
Thank you Marie. I really needed to read this , this morning. I’m really trying to hang on to God and get through this time in my life. I know I’m not alone. You have been there for me and I appreciate you soo much. And knowing there is the other side of the storm. I am grateful for the people God has put in my life. Lots of prayers and faith right now. Thank you again.
I’m happy to be here and walk with you. Yes, prayer and faith will see you through this storm.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. God sees me through all the storms in my life. 🐸
Yes, God is the one thing in our life that never changes. Our rock.
There is no coincidences. I was just reading about how God uses out our pain and healing to create ambassadors for God. I have been digging through my stuff with God holding one hand and woman like you Marie holding the other. Trying to reprogram my brain to speak positive and uplifting things about myself and my situation rather then allowing Satan footage in my life to beat and keep my down. We not I will get to the other side and God will heal. I know He will. The storms pass and the air is so crisp and clean. Breathe deep and be grateful to be alive!!