There are storms that come like a hurricane — we brace for them, preparing as best we can for their arrival.  We hunker down as parts of us, our lives, our families, and our relationships, get tossed about, pulled apart and reoriented.  When it’s over, we assess the damage.  We pick up the pieces.  We set about reassembling what is left.

But what happens when an ill wind remains?  What happens when the waves roll back in from time to time to mess up the tidiness of the shore that you have managed to once again make presentable?  You realize that your emotions are like sand.  How easily we can get knocked down again.

Proverbs 24:16 says “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.”  Here’s to number eight.

It’s hard, when we are broken, to understand that there are certain things we just cannot be protected from.  No matter how hard we try.  No matter how much we board up those parts of ourselves that are the most vulnerable.  No matter how much milk, bread, and eggs we buy, there is sustenance we need that cannot be found in an empty grocery aisle. 

Those waves are going to come back around and we are going to feel as if it’s us against the world.  

For me, it’s like being cornered in a harbor — I know it’s coming but there is nothing I can do to escape it.  Names are called, disparagement is made of my heart, my failures, my intentions, and all come lobbed like torpedos.  There is nowhere to swim out of harms way.  It just comes.  It always comes.

I have a favorite word — buoy.  I use it a lot.  It is what we look for when we are floundering out there in a storm. We hold onto to it, knowing that it will steady us when the waters are rough.  As long we have it in our grip, we won’t go under.  

Faith is our buoy.  Even when the onslaught of waves hit, we can know that God has us.  He doesn’t choose to calm the storm, rather He puts us out in it so that we are fashioned with a steely resolve to remain strong in our core.  He wants us to not compromise our integrity, our values, our righteousness.  He wants us to weather our trials so that when clear skies come, we will emerge steadfast in our new purpose.  He will always use what we have been through for our good. 

All I know, is that God never said this life would be easy.  He does, however, promise that in all things He will work it out so that we are made whole, better, wiser.  We just have to keep getting up again, even when we’re weary. 

My friend, you may be in a season right now where you feel it is all you can do to just breathe.  Lift up your head.  Scan the horizon and know that the devastation you are feeling will not last.  Even when you cannot yet see a break in the clouds, know that one is coming.  Let what burdens you not seep into your soul.  Let it run off of you like a rain slick.  

You are tougher, stronger, and more resilient than you think.  You will get up again, and when you do, you will see more clearly what is before you.  You will seize the day.  You will find that in the aftermath, when the remnants of the storm are finally out to sea, that you are given a great gift. 

You will know who you are and you will know Who’s you are.

No matter how battered you feel, know that it will pass.  God has His eye on you at all times.  You won’t go under.  You won’t.  

Stand up, girl.  Shake it off.  Don’t ever give up in knowing that you deserve to be loved, cherished, and respected.  You will thrive again, and one day your burdened heart will heal.

Even when it feels like your storm never seems to end.  It will. Wait for it.  It’s coming.