Movies make use of the fear factor of people trying to outrun weather, or natural disasters – fires, tidal waves, sandstorms, tornadoes, etc. The audience pulls for the runner: RUN! GET OUT! WATCH OUT FOR THAT DISASTER AHEAD! Recently, I fled a town to keep from getting stuck in the throes of a snowstorm which was guaranteed to force an extra 3-4 day stay.

My travel mate and I, after being spread out over a condo for 7 days full of activity, had to shove everything into suitcases and boxes and bags in 30 minutes, and drive over a mountain range to ride the front wave of the storm on our way out of town.

The definition of a storm is: a violent disturbance that impacts the environment on which it acts. During our flight, I thought about life’s storms that are avoidable, and the way we respond to warnings to heed the gravity that they threaten. Some of life’s storms with warnings that we should pay attention to:

• Depression/anxiety disorders, ulcers, or heart issues that result from stress, anxiety, and worry. History and medicine tell us that these behaviors take a mental, emotional, and physical toll on us. When we are bogged down by these thought processes, we should seek out and impose strategies to alleviate them, lest we induce worse effects than the emotions themselves.
• Addictions – both substance and behavioral – can shatter personal health and well-being as well as social relationships. When we choose a substance or activity despite negative consequences to our mental, physical, financial, and/or social well-being, we need to seek help right away. Without diligent management, we suffer their havoc.
• Relationships that lead us to bad decisions, or inflict pain – spiritually, personally, legally, physically – have negative effects. Being aware of how you feel and what results from time with these people is critical. This brings to mind the joke about your best friend being the one you would call to bail you out of jail – but if they were that good of a friend, they would be in jail with you. This is funny, until it isn’t. Remember the saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Warning signs of trouble will come in many more ways than just this short list. Perhaps we are adept at seeing and responding to red flags. Maybe we don’t see the storm coming, but those who have seen or experienced the effects a storm leaves in its wake are watching the weather more closely. They may be able to see and alert us to things coming that we do not see.

A resident in the town we were visiting was very accustomed to seeing the type of storm headed our way and gave us advice as to the best course of action: run! When I was told about it, I agreed there may be potential trouble, but I was not motivated to action. Thankfully, my travel buddy had a bit more conviction about how we could be impacted, and suggested we get out ahead of the storm. She persuaded me. She was right. By heeding the warning and altering our plans, we avoided a 3-4 day extension of our trip, we saved money for accommodations we didn’t even know if we could get as well as undo stress about the residual implications there and at home.

The temptation to be idle instead of meeting warnings head on is strong. Why? Because human nature is to seek what feels good or is easy. Removing ourselves from this path might require more intestinal fortitude than we are willing or able to give. Jesus promises two things:

• “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)
• “When you pass through the waters I will be with you; And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; The flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”. (Isaiah 43: 2-3)

God will provide a way out of an impending storm. We must be willing to listen to Him and obey Him by taking action. In the event we ignore the signs, as many times we are prone to do, and the storm does overtake us, the Lord promises to be with us! We will experience the storm, but He will carry us through, and we will emerge better, stronger, and more insightful.

In my example of the incoming storm, I ignored the prompts calling me to action. It was easier. I would have been overtaken. My friend’s encouragement pulled us out of the storm. Sometimes our lifeline comes by way of those already in our life, those we ask into our life, or by the supernatural intervention of the Lord Himself. The key is for us to listen for His voice, and obey His prompting. Let’s try to be more attentive to the storm-warning signs the Lord gives us and use His strength to act on them.