Most days the ocean is quiet, a magnificent, strong presence. Little ripples follow, one after the other. Small waves leisurely unfold in their never-ending journey to the sandy shore.
Some days, however, the fluffy white clouds begin to darken. The wind picks up. The calm sea begins to roil. The potential for the bystander to be overwhelmed by the threatening storm is imminent.
While we can’t actually stop an overwhelming event that may occur in a variety of ways—an act of nature, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, and so forth—we can make choices and take action in ways that will help minimize the damage to our spirits, minds, bodies, and emotions.
Be aware of what is happening around you. This doesn’t mean we are to live life as if perched on the edge of a knife. It simply means to notice, usually through our five senses, the state of our surroundings. If my beloved and I are enjoying a day at the ocean and observe the clouds begin to build and the skies darken, you can be rest assured we will seek shelter sooner rather than later.
The same state of awareness applies in many of life circumstances: driving on the highway, engaging in an intense conversation, waiting for a report from the doctor. Many of the situations we encounter with the potential to overwhelm in a dark way do not occur in a vacuum. There are signs something is about to happen.
Sometimes you need to take shelter. There will be occasions when the need to get into a safe place is the first best choice we can make. Whether we are about to be overwhelmed physically, emotionally, intellectually or all three, seeking a haven to get out of harm’s way is wisdom.
It is not unusual to hear the phrase “run to God” spoken by Christians. What this means is we take our hearts and the whole of our being into the Divine presence. This is not say all the chaos or disorder will be eliminated in an instant. What it does mean is we can trust God to care for us as we journey through the storm.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s not so good to let the sense of being overwhelmed take over your thoughts and emotions. Yes, easier said than done. Nonetheless, if we allow ourselves to flail and holler with little regard for anyone who may desire to help us, we lose the wherewithal to not only hear God’s voice of love and guidance, we may say or do something we later regret.
Pray, take a deep breath [or several] and trust the storm will pass. This is not to say there won’t be collateral damage, which is probably the part that unsettles us the most. No doubt, the big storm that overwhelmed the once peaceful beach will stir up a lot of debris. By the same token, a walk along the sandy shore after things have settled will offer the astute observer delightful glimmers of beach glass, shimmering shells, and polished pieces of driftwood.
When the storm knocks you down, remain still as the chaos passes over. It seems too often we believe the best choice is to power through a difficult situation. We want to prevail, to not be viewed as cowardly or weak. As the saying goes, “how did that work for you?” Personally, when I’ve taken that stance, I usually ended up in a messy pile of feelings and thoughts. Exhausted from the physical effort or totally depleted from the emotional outburst, I felt helpless and, occasionally, hopeless. However, sometimes that’s what it takes for the Divine to get our attention and for us to let go in order that we may receive the healing and restoration only God can provide.
The storms of life are inevitable, yet when the clouds begin to take shape in whatever form they may be seen or heard, my heart can race, my throat tighten, and my hands tremble. All of which is a good indication I need to remind myself of what has been shared here.
Do I react or respond to a situation that may feel overwhelming?
Am I aware what is happening around me?
What does it mean to seek a safe place until the storm passes?
Can I cooperate with God to restore and repair any damage?
