Learn four ways to brace yourself and overcome the storms of Life

For the past few weeks, we have seen and heard of the massive devastation that hurricanes Harvey and Irma have done in the Caribbean, and now, Hurricane Irma has moved to Florida, particularly moving to the Florida Keys and major areas in Florida. The storm comes with excessive rain which leads to flooding and winds that result in trees, debris, houses, cars, boats being thrown around. Residents have prepared for the storm, boarding up their homes and businesses and seeking shelters where they can be safe. But what is worst, is the aftermath of the storm; when people return to their homes and find out they have lost everything and find it difficult to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Characteristics of a physical or an emotional storm:

1. You want to seek shelter from the storm
2. You experience devastating effects from the storm
3. You have loss on the aftermath of a storm
4. You must pick up the pieces of your life after the storm.

Ways to brace yourself and overcome a physical storm or the storms of life:

1. Whether you have been through a divorce, a death of a loved one, caring for a loved one, you have been through a storm or still going through a storm, and people do not understand why you are overwhelmed. But the Almighty God is your shelter (Ps 91:1); He knows your pain, your weakness, and you can turn to Him to help you through your difficult times.

2. Unless you have gone through divorce, separation, the death of a loved one, the caring of a loved one, you do not know what your brother or sister is going through. He/she may feel the devastating effects of  a storm and may feel lonely, exhausted, guilty but in turning to the Lord, he/she can receive strength and peace (Ps 46:1; Phil 4:7).

3. You may feel an emotional loss on the divorce from a spouse or the death of a loved one but God promises that you are not alone and that He will never leave or forsake you (Deut 31:6).
4. You may feel overwhelmed picking up the pieces of your life, but, by turning to the living God, you will be renewed; because God makes all things new again (Isaiah 43:19).