Walking Through Storms
I recently saw a picture on social media of a snow-covered bison. The caption talked about how bison are one of the few animals that walk into a snowstorm. The one who shared the photo said that this was likely because they knew that doing so would get them through it more quickly. Walking into the storm would bring them through the storm faster than trying to just ride it out. Facing the storm and continuing to press on through it would bring them out the other side making the storm’s intensity pass more quickly.
I saved the photo to my phone and have gone back to look at it several times since then. The snow-covered bison pressing forward through the storm has really spoken to my heart. I believe that God, Creator of all things, has given each animal the instincts to do what is best for them. Walking into the storm is a survival skill that He has given the bison. The more I thought about it, I felt like I could learn something from them. I like to avoid storms. When I can’t avoid them, I want to shelter somewhere until they pass over me.
The last thing I want to do is steel myself to press forward into the storm. But what if that is exactly what I need to do? What if I need to determine that I will press forward into this storm and keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how hard the winds may blow? As a follower of Christ, I know I am never alone in the storm; He is always with me. The truth is that the only way out of a storm is to go through it. With His help, I can keep going; I can keep walking, knowing this storm will not destroy me.
It may get difficult, but He is with me, and He will help me. I can fix my eyes on Him and keep walking. With His help, I can keep “straining forward to what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:13-14). The winds around me may rage, but He will give me the strength to keep going. He will help me to “run with endurance the race” that is set before me (Heb. 12:1-2). If I can learn to fix my eyes on Him and not the storm, He will help me to keep pressing on through whatever the day may hold. And maybe, just maybe, the storm will pass more quickly when I do.
Dear heart, are you facing a storm in your life right now? May I whisper some words of encouragement to you? Keep going. Keep walking and trust Him to see you through. Storms are not permanent; they are always on the move. This too will pass. Keep pressing on through this storm. You will eventually come out on the other side of this. Hold on to Him and trust Him to guide you. He is faithful and He will not leave you in this storm. Press into Him and just keep walking through this storm knowing He will bring you through.
See also: Isaiah 40:31; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:12
Katrina Douglas
