Prepare
or Despair
By Karen D’Amore
“There is a time for
everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven…”
and a season for every activity under heaven…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
The
weatherman chuckled as he conveyed the contradictory forecast, “expect a mix of
warm and cool air, sunny with scattered clouds and a chance of rain, sleet,
hail and snow.” Though the date on the calendar professed spring, the weather
forecast mimicked a “state of confusion.” Growing accustomed to the
schizophrenic weather patterns in the Midwest,
I prepared for the “unpredictable prediction”… by loading the car with
sunscreen, an umbrella, a lightweight jacket and a snow scraper! Throughout the
day, the weather phenomenon emerged with every
aspect of the forecast cycling through the day…repeatedly!
After
relocating from Southern California to the Midwest,
it took several years to acclimate to the unpredictability of the seasons and
the propensity for severe weather changes…daily. Temperature swings of 45
degrees are normal and packing away “seasonal” clothes or equipment is not
advisable!
Vacillating
between umbrella to snow scraper…the erratic weather drew me to consider deeper
parallels with the seasons of life. They, too, can change unpredictably and
without warning. I was drawn to reflect on my young client “Lisa,” who weeks
after giving birth to her daughter, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She
suddenly went from a season of birthing new life to a season of contemplating
her own death.
Another
friend tragically lost her teenage son in a skiing accident during their family
vacation. Her season of laughter and joy suddenly converted to a season of
mourning.
Days
after celebrating her thirtieth wedding anniversary, a co-worker discovered her
husband’s infidelity. Her season of marital bliss suddenly ended in a season of
divorce.
Each
of these friends suddenly and unexpectedly transitioned from seasons of
thriving to seasons of broken-heartedly surviving.
Scripture
reveals, “In this world we will have trouble. But take heart I [Jesus] have
overcome the world” (John 16:33b). “Even though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4a). The
storms of life will come, making
spiritual preparedness imperative. Time spent in daily worship, prayer and The
Word…equips us with the oil of His Spirit…empowering us to withstand those
unexpected trials. As Scripture exhorts us to be prepared and expect the
unexpected, it also comforts us with the assurance that God will walk through
the unexpected with
us.
God’s
Word portrays storms of sickness, disappointment, adversity and sorrow…and how
we can preparedly withstand these storms through unwavering, persistent faith.
Have
you “weather-proofed” your faith? Are you standing under His umbrella of protection? The storms are coming! Don’t
despair! Prepare!!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Is your faith “storm-proof?” Where is the
leak?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She
also serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events team.
