Raging Storms

I grew up in a hurricane zone. Storms, hurricanes, and flooding are no strangers to me. Though I am not consumed by fear of nature’s song and dance, I am well aware of its rage and power. Today it has been forecasted that we’ll be in the path of Uncle Milton. All around, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle as we prep for his impending onslaught. Experience has taught us not to take these warnings lightly. There’s an almost eerie calm as we rise to this new day.

If we live long enough, we finally come to understand that none of us are exempted from the storms of life. They do not discriminate – unleashing wrath on all alike. Unfortunately, many of us have had to negotiate these rough waters from childhood. They have left some painful imprints on our hearts and mind. The flashbacks often come at unexpected moments. We would love to find a pill to treat these monsters. Sadly, there’s no ‘one-size fits all’ medication for these kinds of trauma.

Today maybe one of ‘those days’ for you. The storms are raging in your mind, heart or even in your personal spaces. You try hard to protect the ‘helpless’ around you – including your children. You feel like you are losing the battle as you sense the chaos is affecting them, the way it affected you. I’ve learned in life that we can only do our best. At best we can only do what we can do. I’ve found when and where I am insufficient, my Heavenly Father is perfectly able to take care of all that concerns me. He doesn’t always quiet the storms, He often takes us through them. When I trust the process, even in my fears, I come out on the other side a better person. If the storms are raging around you today, find solace in the promises of a God who sees you exactly where you are and cares more than you can ever imagine. If He does it for me, He’ll do it for you. Try asking.

Dark clouds hover over
Waves eroding my space
I am losing ground
Weakened knees
Hands hanging down
I struggle to stand

Then You came along
Maybe You were always there
Your presence calms my fears
Now I can hear
Above the noisy waters
I hear You quiet the inner me

Now I ride the waves
I dance in the rain
Feeling the drops bathe my aches
I stare at the winds
Shout back at the thunder
Empowered to walk on through

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.”[Psalm 107: 28-31]