I have heard it said that we are constantly cycling through three phases of life: (1) we are experiencing a storm in our life, (2) we are coming out of a storm or (3) we are getting ready to enter a storm. So what are these storms? They are whatever make your circumstances challenging, sorrowful or desperate. They are financial issues, sickness, death, loss of a job, break-up with significant other or friend… whatever ventures to strain your joy and hope. The length of each phase is never known, and although we would prefer to be in the phase of no storm, it is always assured that another one will come.

Currently I’m in the phase that’s waiting for the storm. Obviously not in the way that I wait in excited expectation like for a birthday, Christmas, special event or even the weekend… but in an active expectation that one day another storm will come… and I want to be prepared. I don’t want to miss the blessings of today, I don’t want to take for granted everything I have and I don’t want to forget the thousands of prayers that have been heard and answered. I’m so thankful for my life, my faithful friends, my job, my loving family, my wonderful husband, my home. Like everyone else I’ve shared in the challenges of looking for a good job, losing a loved one, picking up the pieces of a broken heart, battling habitual sin, being downcast and overwhelmed for no reason, and so much more. I listen to stories every day of storms people are going through and I’m not naive enough to think that I am exempt from struggle and heartache forever… it’s just a part of the cycle.

So how do I plan to prepare? How do you prepare for something that you don’t know the time or appearance? How do you prepare your response for something that could be mildly or devastatingly challenging to handle? Draw near to God (James 4:8). I know that the best thing for me to do whether in good times or bad is to be near to God. He has the answers, he knows the plans (Jeremiah 29:11). When I am uncertain, He is sure. When I am weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I am needy, He is comforting (Psalm 119). When I fail, He is forever faithful (Psalm 33:4 and 36:5). And I am sure that in times of trouble, the God of hope will fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (adapted from Romans 15:13). And with Him near, I can face whatever may come.