If you are anywhere in the New York tri-state area or in the Northeast region of the US, then you are probably caught in a knee-deep amount of snow – braving this blizzard. Hopefully you’re sipping on some hot chocolate and catching up on some TV as you read this as I know that I am as well.
When I started thinking about this week’s post, I knew that it was no coincidence that I wanted to address the inevitable storms of life and all of a sudden we were being forecast one of this winter’s most vicious winter storms.
“Hmm…this is interesting.” I thought.
Each and every one of us will eventually come across a particular season in our life where it seems like “all hell has broken loose.” You may lose a job, lose a loved one, undergo a bad break up, suddenly fall ill, experience extreme financial lack or have an emotionally rough patch in life. It’s in those hours where we can feel forgotten about, lonely, frustrated, angry, confused and even resentful.
How do I know? Because I have been there before.
I used to fear the storms of life and even when things would be going well, I would have nagging thoughts telling me that something unfortunate had to happen because things were too good to be true.
As I have matured these past few years and have experienced (and still experience) those nasty storms of life, I have learned that eventually all storms will pass. The storm we are currently experiencing in the Northeast will eventually fade away and we will continue on with our lives. Although the storm may bring the nuisances of digging your car out of the snow, backed up traffic, delayed commute time to work or shoveling the snow in the front of your home, you know that sooner or later the snow will melt and you will move on with life.
When a snowstorm comes, we do not give up on life, we just wait for the storm to pass assured that we are prepared and enjoy the days off inside of the house. Perhaps we may even take advantage of the time indoors by taking up some household projects, starting that vision board, working on the latest arts and craft project with your kids, or finishing that new book.
Therefore, if you are experiencing a storm of your own, maybe you can do something to take your mind off of your storm and focus on something else trusting that your storm will soon pass. We may not always understand the storms of life but we cannot allow them to knock us out and even if they do, we must always get back up.
Are you facing a storm, waiting for it to pass? Here’s what you can begin to do to make the “waiting time” pass a little faster:
- Be a blessing to someone else. If you have do not have money, then give your time. Take the time to treat someone to a dinner or take your girlfriend’s children for a few hours so she can have some alone time.
- Know that your storm is preparing you to tell someone else “I’ve been there before.” How encouraging it is to know that you can guide someone through their difficult time later down the line.
- Understand that you are NOT alone. I know that it can feel as though no one understands you and that you are alone in your struggle but that is far from the truth. God is ALWAYS with you and He will never leave you, if He has not removed you from the storm then trust that He will give you the strength to get through it. I have learned that God’s grace is more than sufficient.
- Get out of your rut and call somebody. Who can you call for a fun night out? Sometimes it does not have to be a night out; maybe you invite some folks over for dinner, wine and chit chat.
- Take the limits off of God – remember that He can do the impossible. Instead of telling God about your problem, tell your problem about God. God responds to your faith, not necessarily your need. Have faith in his limitless power and His timing.
- Keep telling yourself “This too shall pass” and make the choice to be happy in spite of your circumstances. There is no need to feel as though you cannot be happy until you’ve reached the end of your storm. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
You are beautiful, strong and worthy so trust your journey. Now, will you choose to dance in the rain, or in this case, the snow?
XOXO,
Maria I. Melendez
@embraceherlegacy