In 1989, Hurricane Hugo devastated the island of Nevis, as well as other islands in the Caribbean and cities on the east coast of the United States. This Category 5 hurricane was one of the most severe hurricanes ever recorded at the time and remains so to this day. I was a teenager at the time, and being the eldest sibling, my dad relied on me to help do what was needed to protect our home and the family.
This storm was the first of its kind we would experience based on its strength and size. And so, we did the best we could with the knowledge we had as we boarded up windows, wrapped valuables in plastic, stocked up on supplies, and prayed, hoping for the best. As the winds picked up, we hunkered down in our basement, knowing we would be safe, but not knowing whether the house would withstand the storm.
The winds howled with the sound of a freight train speeding through a tunnel. Roofs were torn from houses like foil being ripped from a baking pan. Trees were uprooted with fury, while those that endured bent over mercilessly in submission to the wind’s rage. After what seemed like ages, the wind subsided, and calm replaced it. We understood that this meant that the eye of the hurricane was passing over us, and before long, the winds would resume with similar intensity. But what has stuck with me since then is what my dad did during the calm.
He ventured outside and surveyed our house to determine if the boarded windows were still intact. We noticed that the plywood for one window had been dislodged and rushed to reattach it as securely as possible while we still had time. This act was pivotal in ensuring that our home remained safe for the rest of the storm. By God’s grace, it did!
In life, we not only encounter atmospheric storms, such as hurricanes, but also physiological, emotional, mental, financial, relationship, and spiritual storms. These storms represent crises, difficulties in our lives that are beyond our ability to control. They come upon us unexpectedly. And they seem to last far longer than we would like.
Oftentimes, we focus on the storm and the fear and devastation it brings. However, it is vital to pay attention to areas of our lives that need repairing and reinforcement. Doing this will help us to see the following benefits of these undesirable experiences:
1) The storm will reveal areas that need strengthening.
2) The storm will make us stronger and better equipped to withstand future storms.
3) The storm will give us confidence that we can face challenges in the future.
4) Our ability to withstand the storm will provide a formula and hope to others as they face their storms.
James 1:4 says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. We don’t like storms. We don’t wish for storms. But storms produce results that benefit us, others, and bring glory to God.