A storm is headed our way. Again. A real one, not just the proverbial kind. In the interests of transparency, I will state that Helene snubbed her nose at us here in the northeast corner of Florida, leaving us wet and dazed and picking up debris and fallen trees in her wake. Nothing like our friends and family to the northwest of us in western North Carolina. We are still being shocked and saddened each day as we hear and see reports of the heart wrenching devastation of my birth state. The recovery efforts are around the clock and re-building will take a very long time. I read an article that stated residents will forever more live their lives as 'before' and 'after'.
We here in Florida are bracing for yet another...coming full force at us on the west coast. Barely dried out from Helene, we are batting down the hatches for Milton. Again, however, tucked up here in the corner, we will most likely be spared the full brunt of the storm. However, that does not alleviate anyone from the trepidation or risk of damage. And for some, even a bit of fear. And that's okay.
In our family's personal life, we've been hit with some of those aforementioned proverbial storms. And like Helene and Milton, perhaps not the catastrophic devastation that others have endured, or may endure. In fact, even in those disasters, grief and mourning is measured by degrees of loss. "It's only stuff, at least you are still alive." And the survivor feels guilt each time they mourn the loss of house and possessions. Even heirlooms and memories, because, after all, others have lost so much more. And, of course, it is true. They are alive, their families are safe. But grief is grief, loss is loss, and disaster is disaster. And it is okay to feel that loss. To grieve over what you will not hold in your hands again, but then to move on and rebuild.
And that brings me to fear. Those storms my family is facing? We will get through them. My daughter-in-law is facing surgery, but we are grateful that there is an answer for her discomfort and pain. My grandson will be having open heart surgery in a matter of weeks. Are we trusting God to guide the surgeons and bring healing and health to my son's wife, and to protect that fifteen-year-old boy? Absolutely. Are we a little bit fearful at the prospect? You bet.
A sweet friend of ours, a retired missionary with the wisdom of years of walking with God, and also a bit of Kentucky country, said to me, "If you ain't a little skee'rd, there's something wrong witcha'." Well, if that isn't true, what is?
We have faith because of fear. I need my faith the most in my fear. Faith chases away the fear, faith casts out doubt. My fear, my doubt proves, tests my faith.
I have a conversation in the novel I am writing, in fact it is based upon an actual conversation I had with someone. (That's where a lot of fiction comes from you know. A moment, a conversation, an incident...we think, 'Hey! That would work great in a story...) Two of my characters are in conversation about forgiveness. The father says how he doesn't FEEL forgiven, and the daughter tells her father that she didn't feel he loved her when he left the family. He is adamant that he never stopped loving her. She stresses to him that just because you don't feel something doesn't make it true. Feelings don't change the truth.
We can feel all sorts of emotions. That's normal and acceptable. It's when we allow those emotions to determine our thoughts, our attitudes, and dictate the truth that it becomes an issue.
Guilt will hamper our healing from a tragedy. Fear will paralyze us from moving toward true trust and faith. Doubt will keep us from dropping to our knees and raising our voice to Heaven.
Are you facing a storm? Are you recovering from a storm? Reach for your faith to overcome the emotions that get churned up in the aftermath.
Comments
Post a Comment