Hearing in the Storm

With lightning and thunder more rampant in the Midwest than in the West, I sometimes wish I had the power to tell the storm “just go away!” Much easier said than done though.

My focus during the storms is away from myself and at what is happening around me. I should probably buy stock in weather.com as I continually check it to see how close the storm will be and how soon it will arrive. It’s helpful because it gauges within 6 hours what will happen.

But life does not have a built-in weather.com. No — life’s storms come and our focus turns outward to the things happening around us. Death, disability, unemployment, greed, sickness, over-spending, divorce, etc. etc…  Some storms are caused by how we live while others just happen to show up on our doorstep and say “Just coming to visit for awhile.”

What response do you have when “they” come whether invited or uninvited? Honestly I usually get frazzled and my brain goes haywire for awhile.  Until …

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: … ”  Job 38:1

Yes, I have to stop and listen to God while the sky lights up like flickering lights, thunder crashes as if someone is bowling with clouds in heaven  and rains pummel the ground.

I’m learning that it’s all a matter of perspective. I can run to and fro and call this person and that one for advice or I can just stop and listen to what God has to say to me while in the storm.

All storms bring a blessing. It’s true! We may not see the blessing immediately because our vision is focused on everything that’s going wrong but in the end, there is a blessing.

The old adage “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is perfect when one is trying to change their perspective on how to deal with problems that are hurled at us. Ever done that? Make lemonade from lemons? Just add a teaspoon of sugar and whala!

Look and listen for the blessings because they are surely there — even if the world feels like it’s crumbling around you.

 

 

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