Living on the central west coast of Florida we have been extremely fortunate when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms. It seems that in our little niche, we live in a moderately protected area. I’ve heard it said around town this week that “we are due” for a large storm soon. At most, we have received some wind and a little more rain than is normal for us during late spring and summer months.
Tropical Storm Colin has been a reminder that storms can come up unexpectedly. As the projected track changes with every weather forecast, we may breathe a sigh of relief, and at the same time offer prayers for safety for those who will feel the brunt of the impact.
Some storms of the past have refused to go away, meandering over the state; others will just quickly fly past or head up the coast toward the panhandle. Generally, storm bands will blow over our county with gusts that strip the Spanish moss from the oaks, bend the palms and snap the pines with the tornadoes that form on the eastern sides of the circulation. Rain showers are intense at times and driving in that weather can be a challenge.
In preparation for hurricane season, we have a list of suggested resources to gather: water, shelf-stable food (needing no refrigeration), batteries, generator/gas, etc. When a storm hits, we could be without power for days or weeks, so having supplies in advance makes sense.
We also experience storms in our personal lives, and they can be as challenging as the weather, or even more. How do you handle those storms, the ones that come up out of the clear blue sky? What do you do when the news you just received makes your stomach feel hollow? Who do you turn to for answers, for comfort, for help? May I suggest that we can also prepare for these kinds of storms as well?
There are a few things which I find most needful to make it through my personal storms, and I hope they will be helpful to you as well. As important as generators and batteries for my physical life, I also need a source of power for my spiritual life. For me, that source is God. I have learned that whatever happens in my life, God has a way of using it for His purpose. Knowing that He was there, and I wasn’t alone, gave me strength and let me take one more step, even if I felt too weary or heartsick to continue.
Another important item is water, because water means life. When the electricity fails, my well pump will not work, so I need to keep gallons of water handy for drinking and cooking. The spiritual water source I need is prayer, or communicating with God. It helps to know that I can bring my problems, no matter how large or small, and that He will hear me and answer.
The third item is food. This may be the Bible, a devotional book, or a book about the problem I am facing. It is one way God speaks to me, and it gives me encouragement to learn that another has been through a similar situation. Sometimes it is through a conversation with a close friend that I hear the words I need.
By the time you read this, Tropical Storm Colin will have passed by, and it is likely there will be damage from the winds and rain. I don’t know what your storm is today, if your challenge is because of the weather and the heartache it may have caused, or if it is a personal concern. But know that there is Someone who is there for you, and is willing to help.