Storms scare us. And if you haven’t tasted one lately, just look at Hurricane Ian.
- Many using boats to rescue the helpless
- Many suffering loss of their home
- Many dead
The difference for survival after a storm is how you manage anxiety.
And later, loss.
I suggest three steps take us to safety.
Lots of folks mutter, “The wise don’t live where floods or hurricanes prowl.”
But, there’s no place in the world you can can dwell without . . .
- storms
- sorrow
- testing
An old Spanish proverb says, “There is no home which does not at some time know its hush.”
1. Stormproof the home-dweller
Since any home can disappear, why not storm-proof the home dweller?
I thought my neighborhood was safe until an EF-3 tornado came through.
On Sunday night, October 25, 2019, ten different tornadoes plowed through North Texas and flattened houses, buildings and shopping centers in minutes.
Many sat roofless for a year or more.
The difference between the wise and foolish is not location.
It’s foundation.
Not physical foundation, but spiritual foundation.
2. Ask God for help
Thriving in chaos requires fuel.
- Energy that works in pain
- Energy that works in loss
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:1-3
Bono, of U2, made a song called “40” out of these verses and closes concerts with it.
David Taylor interviewed Bono and asked him what he learned about God through reading the Psalms.
“He listens,” replied Bono.
Then he asked him what is one thing he learned about himself through reading the Psalms.
“I don’t listen enough.”
Taylor asks Bono one more question. “What is one difficult thing the Psalms require?”
“Honesty,” the singer replied.
Open a channel of wisdom, insight and communication from God any time you need.
3. The simplicity solution
Big problems like hurricanes and tornadoes can bring a life change for the best.
One of those changes is simplicity.
The older I get, the more dignity, elegance and power I see in simplicity.
I am discovering that truly deep folks have at their core the genius of being simple.
Simplicity doesn’t mean easy solutions or easy to understand.
Simple means there are no hidden or double meanings.
By complicating an issue, we think the amount of time, energy and expertise to solve problems is greater than we can stir.
But, if we seek simpler and better definitions of our problems, we make unsolvable problems solvable.
4. Land safely
Whatever your storm is at the moment, tap into the highest power.
“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.” Ecclesiates 12:11
Land safely in three steps . . .
- Listen
- Be honest
- Simplify
What are your storm survival tools?