Fear of the Storm
Having anxiety in a storm is normal. At least for me, it is. Anytime I hear those emergency alert sounds go off on my phone, my heart sinks to my stomach.
Living in Florida is not the best for working through storm anxiety. Every afternoon during the summer we have big thunderstorms. Between the months of June and November we face hurricane season. Trust me when I say it’s hard to work through the fear of natural disasters.
My biggest fear, if I am being real with you, is tornadoes. What’s crazy is I actually don’t mind seeing tornadoes in a fake setting, such as a movie or a show, but encountering one in real life, nope.
Not to blame any fingers, but my dad was the one who introduced me to the movie, “Twister.” The funny thing is, I love that movie!!! (And the most recent Twister movie was also pretty good!)
Sometimes, people think I go a little overboard with the whole “fear of tornadoes” thing, but in my head, it makes perfect sense. I think we can all agree that when a tornado forms, you get little to no warning, but when a hurricane comes, you can plan and prepare for days.
I would go as far as to say I like hurricanes more than tornadoes. The only problem with that statement is that tornadoes can form during hurricanes, so now there is fear associated with both.
Living on a farm, our house is surrounded by trees. Another fear of mine is a tree falling on my house and possibly getting trapped. I guess when a storm hits, I always think of the worst-case scenarios. That’s part of my problem.
My parents, brothers, and husband always try to make me feel better, but nothing they say will completely take my fear away. Don’t get me wrong, they do help immensely and, quite frankly, keep me from going insane at times, but the only one who can fully take my fear away is God.
God is my shelter and my refuge. I know that when I turn to Him when I feel scared, He will protect me, comfort me, and replace my fear with courage.
Storms are out of my control. Tornadoes are most definitely out of my control. That’s why it is so important for me to rely on the one who has all control and who has our best interest in mind…God.
Now, I don’t know why God allows natural disasters to happen, but if I were to guess, it would be so that we learn how to trust Him and rest in the comfort of His presence despite our circumstances.
After a storm hits, we have the opportunity to share the name of Jesus by helping others, listening to those who were affected, and praying over each other. We can encourage one another, share hope, and remind each other of the rainbow that is coming after the storm!
I don’t know what fear you are facing today, but I want to remind you that God is waiting for you to run to Him. He is your refuge, your strength, and a very present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Journal Prompt:
What are you fearful of? Read Psalm 91 and journal key points that stick out to you.
Ref: Psalm 18:2, Psalm 27:5
