Weathered by the Storm

Often in our lives unexpected trials and heartaches attack us from behind and knock us off our feet. We lay there floundering for a moment, wondering what hit us. But as we come to our senses, we begin the difficult process of rising back up….With each trial we face in life, if we place our hand in the Lord’s and press through it with His help, we become stronger and more resilient.

I have often thought about the many buffetings that life brings and how difficult it is to bear them. It reminds me of a time when my family visited the ocean. My siblings were in the water and without warning a sneaker wave crept forcefully onto the shore, knocking my younger sister down. Having been taken by surprise, it took her a moment to register what had happened. As she struggled to get back up, another wave came from behind and knocked her down again. This pattern repeated several more times. But as she recovered from the shock, she began to slowly inch her way up into a more braced position. Eventually she was able to stand and walk away from the reach of the waves.

Often in our lives unexpected trials and heartaches attack us from behind and knock us off our feet. We lay there floundering for a moment, wondering what hit us. But as we come to our senses, we begin the difficult process of rising back up. Sometimes in the middle of our effort we lose our balance and fall down again. But, because we’ve already experienced this sensation, it does not surprise us as much and we recover more quickly. With each trial we face in life, if we place our hand in the Lord’s and press through it with His help, we become stronger and more resilient. “…Deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it” (Doctrine and Covenants 127:2).

Although life will always have obstacles to throw in our path, our ability to handle these challenges can increase to where we develop an instinctive response to them. Then, no matter how big or prolonged the experience, we can move through it standing firm and with hope in Christ. The scriptures describe this process:

“…Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).

Let’s be honest, some trials may still surprise us and leave us reeling. I recently experienced a challenge that left me questioning almost everything – God, myself, and my purpose. But it was years of practicing leaning on the Lord that helped me keep fighting until I found my footing. This and other trials have helped me develop a more instinctive response to the stormy waves of life. This response includes:

• Earnestly approaching my Father in Heaven through prayer and meditation
• Inviting specific guidance from the Spirit through pondering and searching the scriptures
• Counseling with loved ones and trusted professionals
• Seeking solace and direction in places of worship
• Receiving strength and faith through priesthood blessings
• Seeking opportunities to lift the burdens of someone in need

These tools help me ride the waves of this mortal journey and find peace amidst chaos. I find strength in knowing that through life’s difficult experiences we become “weathered by the storm” and refined into the powerful, capable children our Heavenly Father has always known we can become.

The following is a poem I wrote in my effort to capture the essence of this beautiful, yet trying journey called LIFE.

Weathered by the Storm

Rain beats down and blinds my eyes
I blink to clear my view
My shoulder pressed into the wind
No rod to hold on to

My limbs relax, the rush subsides
The peace of life-filled air
I know the pause will be but brief
I brace, the next to bear

Another form the storm does take
Now stealing from behind
My heart and hands point heavenward
Seek strength and peace of mind

Days go by, the storm beats on
Rough edges become smooth
Shapeless forms now come to life
Inner being becomes truth

At times I stop and take a look
My reflection in the mirror
The face once seen no longer there
Now changed, for I see clearer

Soul made whole by Master’s hand
Shaped into something true
Stronger than once ever dreamed
A heart becomes now new

Hard and long the road may seem
And strength begin to wane
Healing touch of Gentle Hands
Gives strength to rise again

No room for doubt, or hollow fear
For I am not alone
The Lord, my God will take my hand
And lead me safely home

Invitation: Choose a way that you will turn to the Lord this week when you experience one of life’s challenging waves. This will help steady your feet, prepare you for the unexpected, and lead to more peace.

Photo by Emma D on Unsplash