Weathered by Storm

Ever wondered why things seem so difficult when we are close to a breakthrough. Whether it be work, marriage, exams, your relationship, that recalcitrant child - whatever? St Monica prayed for years for St Augustine her child - it must have been exhilarating for her. She stayed on her kneels

The turning point in our life is often the bleak point, because it is a turn, we may not even see any hope after it. And the reason is very simple, you must turn the bend to behold the beauty. It's often the difficult part that is the defining moment. Have you ever watched the skies by night - the night is darkest at the point close to dawn; it becomes so dark and you turn in your bed at this hour and believe you still have several hours, and then morning creeps in on us.

The sun will shine again, just like the rainbow reminds us of how God saved mankind despite the flood, so also behind every silver lining, there is a story. Look, no story has ever made sense until you hear the victory song. Every tragedy was a tale that was told but with points that the fortune of the people could have been different if only someone did something different. You cannot be the victor without a story. So, what is that story?

Let's imagine that your case is so bad that, there is no hope, nothing new and good can come out of it; you know that is the situation many are facing. While you have the excuse that it's a hopeless situation, someone else is pushing the limits and making headway, singing a new song because that is what champions do. You see, the more you wallow in self pity the weightier the challenge becomes and the longer the story goes unresolved. What is the attitude then to manage these storms?

Simple, first remember though your challenge is unwavering, your solution and you gives it a unique blend. Now you need to calm down and look at the issues, what have you done, what have you taken ownership of, and how have you done what was done. This problem of soul searching, needs to be done painstakingly and with every sense of purpose. And need I remind you that this aspect is actually a battle field for the mind. If you allow the situation to tear you in different direction, it will sap your energy and resolve to do anything. You will fall apart and yet the problem will still remain unresolved. Win the battle of the mind and you are weathering the storm.

Again, if you master the first act above, you would have come out with clear options or working alternatives. Some might be at a price, and others at some resolve. No one said it's an easy process, but you must trust that after every storm there is calm over the sea, meaning that if you stay constant, alive and long enough, you would tell the story of the storm. You may not remember every little detail, but I can tell you, people so like to listen to how you rode the storm. And the sweet part of that story is not just the victory but that part of you that gains something unique, special and toughened.

My friend, storms can be frightening, I run from them if I can, yet are we weathered by them. Ride that challenge, stay afloat and come out tops, It's in You.

Nugget: Once we win the battle of the mind, mountains lose their strength and giants become just fables. It all begins up there, make sane thoughts and the rest is simple.