Silly me. My heart is beating at a rapid pace. Why you ask? The wind is blowing and we are under a tornado warning. I have made progress though. I am not hiding in my closet. However, my purse is around my shoulder, cell phone in pocket, and dog on leash.

As I have posted on a previous blog, we lost our home to a tornado in 1982. Then, in 2009 a huge oak tree fell through our roof and we had to move out and have major renovation. So, I do have an aversion to wind.

People who have NOT been through storms like this think I am over reacting. It use to make me mad, but now I understand their feelings. They have not experienced my storms.

It is not much different from our emotional storms. I have learned that I have not experienced other people’s storms, so I have no idea how they feel. I have to legitimize their feelings, their fears, their troubles. I have no right to minimize their storm. And even if a person has been through a similar situation, I still don’t totally understand, but I can empathize.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I can then minister to those people. I can love them with the love of Jesus. I cannot fix it, I can not always make it better. In fact, most times I cannot. But the peace that passes all understanding can be present. I have personally experienced that peace many times. And I know it was the Father, because the circumstances would dictate otherwise.