When the Storms Come

During a morning run last week, the radio program I was listening to continually gave warnings about a coming storm.  Hurricane Michael was expected to hit that day. The announcer shared "everyone in our listening area will be affected". It is a fact that every surrounding county is under either a hurricane or tropical storm warning. There WILL be rain and wind for all, but some may face catastrophic conditions. Just days ago, Hurricane Michael was a forming group of clouds and rain that quickly grew into a catastrophic weather system. In 24 hours, it will be completely gone from our area leaving only the aftermath behind.  Although our immediate area was spared from extreme damage, our neighbors in the panhandle of Florida are facing devastation that will take much time to rebuild from.

Storms are a fact of life, it is not a matter of if, it is more of a 'when' they will roll through. They are a certainty and they will come. They can develop suddenly or come with little warning and can always bring affects. 

Our lives have storms also that follow those same guidelines - they WILL come.  It has been said you are either in a storm, just coming out of a storm or about to walk into one.  Since we already know that they will come, our chance of successfully weathering the storms of life depends on our anchor - or what we hold on to as the storm rages. 

Last Saturday, the sun was shining so brightly in our lives. I was enjoying a new ministry, just completed a week of diligently preparing and training for an upcoming 5K, and simply feeling great in all areas. My son had recently started a new job he was loving, learning a new trade, working hard and loving life. Saturday evening our family went together to a wedding our son was a part of.  It was a time of pure happiness and joy.

Sunday morning found us preparing for church, excited about opening our home to some new friends through a Sunday lunch. The morning preparations were interrupted by a visit from 2 law enforcement officers. My heart began racing as they walked up and stated that my son's truck had been in a violent crash and that he could not be located. Panic and denial swirled around as they asked if we knew where he was or how to get a hold of some of his friends that may be able to locate him. Thankfully the surreal moments gave way to relief as through a few phone calls he was found. He was injured but alive. 

After speaking to my son on the phone and being assured he was ok, our family went to the crash scene to see if we could salvage any of his belongings. Upon arrival and setting our eyes on the damage, amazement and thankfulness flooded our souls. This became 'sacred ground' because viewing the damage to the vehicle, it is a true miracle our son walked away alive. All we could do is thank God and praise Him for His protection.



Meeting with our son at the hospital as he was treated for a broken arm, cracked vertebrae and several lacerations, we were able to take him home late that night. The storm had rolled through and although we were battered, we survived thanks be to the Lord.

After Hurricane Michael, there will be debris strewn all over. There will probably be flooding in many areas and much more damage. Once the storm passes, a time of rebuilding and replacing occurs.

In the aftermath of our family's storm there will be recovery, physically and mentally. Our son is scheduled for more tests, doctors appointments where they will determine how to best treat his injuries. My 'injuries' are internal - fear, the bombarding of 'what ifs', the flashbacks of the damaged truck and the vision of the officers words at my door are still vibrant and threaten to close in on me like huge waves which can easily overpower anything in their path.

The morning this post was written, I was squeezing in a morning run before the storm came, the radio show I was listening to brought powerful reminders and soothed my heart with peace and strength. The Anchor of my soul steadied my emotions with the power of His truth. God knows, sees and speaks peace in our storms.  He is a Chain-breaker - the only One who can break the bonds of fear and uncertainty. When our emotions clutch us so tightly and threaten to squeeze hope out - the God of hope will infuse our heart with His hope. Great is His Faithfulness, He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life. He is able to keep us when things are going great and He will walk with us when things are bad.

Before the storms come, set your anchor down by filling your heart with God's Word, surround yourself with godly resources.  What is put inside your heart is what will come out in times of storms. Be prepared, it may be a rough ride, but God is right beside you in and through it. Every storm of life will eventually pass through. The effects may linger, but new life, new hope and new strength can also be found on the other side. Now is the time to firmly plant your anchor in the Lord.