3 Lessons to Learn from Hail
- Kate Novian
- Apr 14, 2016
- 3 min read
San Antonio, Texas, where I live, has a bit of a problem with hail storms. They come out of nowhere, rain down chaos on us for an hour or so, and then pass on by. In their wake there are house fires, damaged roofs, and broken windows, but the next day, the sun shines again. Now, thankfully, our cars were parked in the garage yesterday, our roof is under warranty, and we didn't have any broken windows... this time, but storms have brought us low many times before.
Living a LifeWorthy perspective can be hard on days like this. While the storms didn't hit us directly this time, there have been storms in our lives in the past, and they will happen again in the future. Right now, my thoughts and prayers go out to those who had major damage in the San Antonio area this time, and for those who are having storms of a different nature all together. But days like this also have some positive lessons to teach.
Lesson 1: There will be storms in life, but they end.
Literal storms or figurative ones, difficult days are going to happen. They might even bring down the roof, but after the storm passes, the sun will still shine. You might have to pick up the debris brought down by the hail, but just like dead branches being naturally pruned from the trees, the storm will leave a chance for new life to flourish in the absence of the unneeded shade.
What storms are plaguing your life? Have you identified the debris? If not, make a list of the things that you need to set right. Some of it, you may need to get assistance to lift. Who are those people who can help? They may be family, friends, or professionals.
Lesson 2: During a storm, seek shelter.
Where do you go when a storm hits? If your first answer is "home," then think about WHY you go home for safety. Your answer might include the structure of the building, or the emotional safety of the people in your home. But your answer might be different. For safety, you may seek your office and work, you may seek a specific person or hobby. Some shelters are strong, built on solid rock. In a perfect world, your family would be a fortress of stone, impossible to shake. I know that isn't always the case. Sometimes, your fortress can have foundations of shifting sand. So identify your shelter. Figure out where your safety is.
Lesson 3: Hail Storms also bring rain.
When hard times come, it is easy to look at your world and see the damage. If you catch yourself thinking "My life would be perfect if only ________ didn't happen" then you are focusing on the damage. But even hail storms bring rain. Even as they shake down loose branches, they bring nourishment to the ground, encouraging growth.
If you are seeking a LifeWorthy perspective during the midst of your storm, take a deep breath and look for the rain. What parts of your life are being encouraged in the middle of the chaos? Perhaps someone speaks a word of wisdom to you. Maybe a source of comfort is offered to you (whether you choose to accept it or not).
What blessings are making themselves known to you? When the darkness seems to overwhelm you, make a list of the blessings in your life, from the simplest brightly colored flower in your garden to the people most precious to you. If you find it difficult to do this in dark times, then sit down for 10 minutes when you have a quiet moment, and list out as many things as you can. Keep the list on your refrigerator (or wherever else you have easy visible access to it.
Attributes:
Image: “Dark Storm Cloud On Spring Day” by radnatt courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com
Comments