If you have resided in OK long enough, you are accustomed to the numerous storm warnings. Sometimes the storms dissipate, and the warnings merely caused alarm or concern. If you heeded the warnings, you were able to be organized to “take cover” if necessary.  Last evening as the storm was approaching closer, I was prepared. My storm shelter was open and even though I was unable to take all crucial possessions or documents to the shelter in the event a tornado had hit my home, I had a few necessities “ready.”

While residing in south FL for several years, we also prepared for impending hurricanes. Fortunately, weather coverage gives residents far more time for planning and sanctuary for hurricanes than when preparing for tornadoes in OK. Nonetheless, weather technology and meteorologists have enabled most persons in the US to be prepared for many of these natural disasters.

What about the storms of life? Do we have warning? Are we ready? Unfortunately, most often we are not. With the loss of jobs or our homes, automobile accidents, illnesses or physical injuries, the unexpected death of loved ones, marital betrayal and countless others, we may be caught off guard. How do we prepare for these storms?

If you attended Sunday School as a young child, you may recall the children’s chorus about the wise and foolish man. The lyrics were: “the wise man built his house upon the rock, and the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up and the house on the rock stood firm. The foolish man built his house upon the sand, and the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up, and the house on the sand went flat. So, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessings will come down. The blessings will come down as your prayers go up, so build your house on the Lord.”

I loved that song as a child and as a Sunday School teacher because the motions to the song are what bring it to life. As adults, we may feel we have built our lives upon the Lord, so they remain strong and stable.  However, we can never predict what others will do, nor the factors which may cause our lives to suffer significant storm damage. If we have a solid foundation on the Lord, our lives normally don’t totally crumble even though they may become quite shaky and unstable. Isaiah 59:19 KJV “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”