Storms

Storms come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities.

There are the kind where it's just light rain, and you may or may not choose to bring an umbrella. It's not really a big deal, just a bit bothersome since it's wet, and you don't want to get stuck in a possible downpour.

Kind of like those niggling issues that creep in the back of your mind but they're not exactly seriously consequential. Just annoying since they're there, but not really. They don't stop you fully, but they do give you pause since they disrupt your mental peace just a little. It's something you need to come back to, but it's just easier to put it off.

There's the thunderstorm with heavier rain, but nothing news making. You definitely bring an umbrella but don't use it anyway since you're able to dodge the wet when there's a short reprieve just in time for you to run that quick errand without getting soaked.

The issue grows larger, since it affects an important relationship, but the problem isn't so huge that you're not talking to each other. But you know it needs to be addressed, and you're putting it off. You don't want it to turn into a major meltdown, but you haven't come up with a suitable strategy toward resolution, one that you feel would satisfy you.

The Severe Thunderstorm makes the news; it's in yellow, and it's not meant to be a pretty. It's a warning. Something could turn potentially dangerous, but if you're careful and stay inside or take precaution when necessary, you'll be reasonably safe.

Things are getting more uncomfortable and even volatile. You can feel the underlying simmer, and it's getting so noticeable, you can't avoid it anymore. It's time to face the music, and you're hoping you end up dancing and working things out rather than being abandoned mid-song.

It's in the red. The Tornado box. It's getting scary, and you want to be safe from the get go. You're told to run for cover if you're out, go to the nearest ditch or low lying area. If you're inside, you're not sure if you'll have time to make it to the underground shelter outside or if you should just cover yourself with a mattress or coat and hang out in the bathtub and hope for the best. The sirens are blowing, and you know the storm is right on top of you. And you're terrified.

You want to run for cover. You're afraid of what will happen when your loved one turns around. Will they turn on you or welcome you with open arms? You're angry with yourself for letting it go for so long. You don't know if it's too late, if the relationship you had has been destroyed, or if there's a chance for a remedy, for a reconciliation. You wish it never came to this.

We all go through storms in life of one level or another. We wish the storms didn't have to come. It seems easier to ignore the inevitable. But eventually the storm will grow more volatile and necessary to confront and face before we come undone.

If we start with the smaller stuff, taking a good look at it and dissecting what's wrong, at least we can become more aware of the struggle we face. And if we're honest, there's more of a chance of working it out.

It takes courage to face our fears. It's not an easy road to take. But once we get started, we're heading in the right direction. And perhaps, the conflict, once we really get a handle on its cause, won't seem impossible to remedy.
And if we deal with the small stuff now, they won't have a chance to become bigger stuff later.

But then there are the situations that we didn't see coming. Yes, life has a knack for throwing us a curve ball once in a while.

But if we're already aware of the smaller issues in our lives and we've done the emotional/mental/spiritual work necessary in dealing with our conflicts, the bigger ones won't seem so catastrophic. Or maybe we will just come through it slowly but surely, one day at a time, looking our fears full in the face, not allowing that big black cloud to threaten our well being. It's then that we realize there's really sunshine behind all that darkness. We just need to face that fear and shrink it down to size, until it disappears all together.

Like the mad man who becomes sane after the Blackness is dissolved in Voyage of the Dawn Treader due to the mental victories each person attains as they face their fears and make wiser choices to do the right thing. He turns around to see the Blackness is now light, and he says, "You destroyed it!"

Yes, that's right. The Darkness of those clouds is overcome with the Light. And we are victorious as a result. Not destroyed, but strengthened. Not in despair, but full of hope and joy that we will survive. And not just survive, but thrive.

No matter what size storm you're facing today, remember that when you are willing to honestly look your fears in the face and bring them down to size, you'll be that much closer to a resolution. And eventually, the Glorious Freedom that comes with the experience of having overcome and been made stronger and more resilient as a result.

And what happens after the storm? Fresh Clean Air. The kind you want to inhale again and again as it revives and restores you and brings you peace.

Then you'll be ready to finish that dance you started. And they're playing your favorite song.

© 2011 by Dawn Herring