Several times this summer so far, my family and I have experienced the powerful Summer Storm. You know the kind – sunshine skies and scorching heat, relaxing, enjoying the peace of summer -- when all of a sudden, the dark clouds descend and instantly the skies open to pouring rain, lightening and thunder overtaking our sight and hearing and we’re scattered looking for shelter, facing changed plans, upset routine, and a feeling of helplessness as we sit by, watching and waiting for nature to take its course. Often it passes quickly, and summer bliss returns, but not without the comments from my kids…..”whoa, what was that? Now what do we do? Why does it have to storm in the summer?!” To which we always remember and discuss that the storm brings growth to the plants, coolness and refreshment to the air, a break for our minds and bodies. A miracle, actually: how goodness and peace can come from a storm that seems dark and scary.
During my spiritual reading last week, I was struck by the story of another storm – the storm at sea; the story of Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). I’ve heard it many times, I’ve seen it portrayed in pictures or media. Just like the common summer storm, this story could become usual and unremarkable, but trying to practice paying attention and being mindful of lessons presented (a summer goal of mine), I spent more time with it this time. And I realized that this storm in the story, the summer storms that I’ve experienced these past weeks both remind me to trust the process and possibilities of the “storms” in my life.
As I pondered the story, I first noticed in the telling of the Sea Storm story, “the disciples followed him.”
I wonder if any of the disciples paused and wondered about getting in that boat. Did they see a storm brewing and choose to get in anyway? Did they just blindly follow the group and not even think of the circumstances? Or did their faith in Jesus urge them to always follow and trust that the water would remain calm with Jesus at the helm?
As it is with us. I try to do the right thing – following, trusting, listening and acting in a way that proves my trust and faith. Yet sometimes I assume that the water will remain calm, that my efforts will prevent the storms, that with God in my boat and at my side, no storms will come. Yet we know the next part of the story in this reading and in our own life – it is not always going to remain calm.
There was a storm. A big one. The scripture reads that the storm came suddenly, maybe unexpectedly. And they were swamped, covered, drowning in the waves and rain and wind. Panicked, confused, feeling alone and helpless, even hopeless. They thought they were going to die, that they couldn’t withstand the storm. They cried out to their last hope – the man asleep in the boat. He woke up. He responded. He invited and reminded: Trust in me, Have faith. Where is your faith that urged you to follow me? Where is your faith that led you to get into the boat? As the storm began to overcome them and their bodies, the storm also began to overcome their faith.
As it is with us. “Storms” in my life often come suddenly. Even when I see them brewing in the distance, I’m still stunned at how they overtake my mind, body, spirit, my relationships, my routines. I also feel panicked, confused, desperate. Feeling and thinking that I cannot handle it all. And guess what – sometimes I cannot. Sometimes like the disciples in the story, I have to turn to others, always I have to turn to God, even though I wrongly assume that He is unaware of my storm, “asleep in the boat”. Through the storm, we are invited to trust, to renew our faith, to surrender our ways and assumptions. To ask for help. And to give it to God.
Then there is a miracle in the story -- An unexpected but hoped for reality. The winds and sea became a great calm. Just as suddenly as the storm perhaps began, it was calmed. It was a miracle -- A miracle because of the storm, through the storm, and after the storm. The disciples’ faith was strengthened, their understanding was boosted.
As it is with us. The storms of our lives are sometimes the exact place where we can see a miracle. Where we grow, where our faith is strengthened. We gain clarity out of chaos. We gain strength through our weakness. We find peace amidst the panic. And we often return to a new peace and calm.
Summer storms and the storm at Sea teach us that storms in life are often unexpected, often unwelcomed. Yet if we know how to weather them so as to witness and allow the miracle to emerge, everything changes. So how do we walk through and trust in that process and the possibilities in the storm….
Stay Calm and Assess: When facing difficulties, try to stay calm and assess the situation objectively. Panic can cloud judgment and lead to rash decisions. Breathe. Be patient. Look around and within.
Focus on What You Can Control: Identify aspects of the situation that you can influence or change. Direct your energy towards those areas rather than fretting over things beyond your control. Much of our distress during challenging times is tied to the energy we are giving to what we have no control over. Identify and focus on what can be changed and work with that.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, professionals, your faith. Sharing your burdens and asking for help can lighten the load and provide different perspectives.
Take Care of Yourself: Maintain your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Ensure you're eating well, getting enough rest, and engaging in activities that help you relax and recharge.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down the challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and confidence and motivate you to keep going.
Stay Flexible and Adapt: Life rarely goes according to plan. Be prepared to adjust your strategies and expectations as new information or circumstances arise. Look at the evidence and be willing to pivot and keep moving forward.
Learn from the Experience: Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Reflect on what you've learned from the situation and how you can apply these lessons in the future.
Maintain Perspective: Remember that storms in life are temporary. This too shall pass. Keeping a long-term perspective can help you endure short-term difficulties. Trust the process and the possibilities.
Practice Gratitude, Surrender, and Trust: Even in difficult times, there are many things to be grateful for, to let go of, and to remind ourselves that goodness and fruit will come.
Keep getting into the boat, knowing the storms will come. Keep trusting that the storm will pass, the growth will happen, the miracle will come.
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