There is Beauty in the Storms

Sometimes it hard to believe, but I know this to be true. Success is relative to those dark, turbulent times, those strong winds that knock you down, and the rain that pounds you so hard you think you will never make it through.

Like me, I know you have been through some storms. Perhaps some you thought would take you out...winds so strong that it felt as though they would you pull you up by your "roots."  However, just as I did, you weathered those storms and afterwards came the sunshine and strength like you never before knew.

I recall being in midst of a major storm, where the pain from deceit, loss and a very dark medical prognosis surrounded me. I sat in the same "parking space" on my coach day after day in my place of gloom. I questioned whether or not coaching, speaking and training was really my true calling. How could someone in such a dark place as I dare to help someone else with their problems? I cried out to God for some answers and one evening as a sat there weeping I heard sirens. A tornado? Really? How could I have missed that forecast? Would this be the storm of all my storms?

I turned on the news to hear the report that it truly was close to my area. I bunkered down in the most secure place in my house until I heard my neighbor knock on my door. As I opened the door I saw that there was no noticeable damage; however, she informed me that this was not the case just one street down. We started to walk towards Claxton Dairy Road, which was where some of our friends lived.

Wow! The tornado had swept through there with a vegenance. There were trees down, decks knocked to the ground and debris scattered everywhere. We then got word that the street on the other side of us had also incurred considerable damage. How could it be that they both got hit so hard, but our damage was absolutely nothing?

We walked back home. I entered my house and sat in the very same place on my couch. However, this time my mindset was different and I knew that no matter how bad the storms, God was my ultimate protector.

There were other signs that God gave me during the week that showed me I was on the right track and my calling was what He said it would be. The next day I was called by the principal of the local high school to do a talk on bullying and self-esteem and he was inviting two other schools. He told me that I came very highly recommended by a prominent community member and they would schedule the event around my availability

That evening when I logged on to social media I saw a video from the son of my very best friend. He was fighting a medical battle of his own and was being so transparent. He too had been given a deem prognosis, but he showed no signs of sadness or fear. He was not questioning his purpose in life. Instead he glorified God, showed confidence that he would win his battle, and was using it to encourage others, including me.

I saw that as such a beautiful thing. He was displaying so much faith and courage. He was not sulking or feeling sorry for himself. He was preparing himself for the battlefield, while uplifting others.

My entire attitude changed about what I was enduring. I would no longer stay in this place of darkness. I had no idea what was in front of me, but I would no longer be dismayed or wonder if I would make it. I would fight each battle with every ounce of strength I had and lean on God when I became weak. I would continue to praise and glorify Him and help every other person that I could.

I now love telling the story of how God brought me through those storms. I do so on almost every stage that I grace. It is such a beautiful thing to watch others garner strength from my storms, just as I did from the son of my best friend and the other lessons God taught me.

Initially during those storms I did not laugh or even smile much. In fact there were many, many tears. However, today my laugh is filled with favor. I thank God for allowing me to see that there is beauty and greatness beyond each storm, not just for me, but also for you and all others.

If you find yourself in a "parking space," just sitting still watching the storms blow. Get up! There is sunshine coming! You just have to keep on pushing!

Teresa L. Holmes, Executive Director

Full 'Steem Ahead Life & Career Coaching

Bounce Back DNA Movement

Igniting Passions Globally

www.bouncebackdnamovement.com

www.thewomensesteemologist.com