The Storm, by Doug Grady
October 11, 2011 by Doug · 6 Comments
The Storm, by Doug Grady
So often we want to be rescued from the storm. We don’t realize it is the storm that rescues us. -Unknown*
These words hit me like a thunder bolt when I heard them. I was in the midst of my own personal storm. It included, among other elements, intense financial pressures, overwhelming feelings of failure, and habits and tendencies which were making things much worse. I felt defeated and completely out of control. I wanted to be rescued.
*I don’t know who first said this. I heard it in a sermon by Bryan Dunagan. He wasn’t sure where it came from and I have been unable to locate the source.
I remember thinking, what if this is true? What if this storm really is here to rescue me?
Lessons repeat themselves until learned.
My storm carried lessons. Lessons I needed to learn. There were times I hated facing this truth. Some I already knew- I just didn't want to admit. Others were revealed. My storm shook me, it rocked me, it humbled me.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. -Proverbs 11:2
That storm has since passed, and as a direct result I have a significantly healthier lifestyle, a stronger sense of purpose, and better relationships with the important people in my life. In its wake it left a positive, lasting impact on every aspect of my life: physical, financial, spiritual, mental, emotional, family, friends...
“After a storm comes a calm.” -Matthew Henry
Maybe there is a perfect, beautiful, extraordinary reason why you are where you are. You may not know it until the storm has passed. Maybe there is a lesson or two. Maybe you will become a better person. Maybe you will develop character. Maybe you will end up affecting someone’s life in a powerful way because of what you are going through right now. Maybe, just maybe, the storm will rescue you.
My storm was nothing compared to the lives devastated by the tornadoes that crossed the Southeast. This weekend I travel with my church to Wellington, AL to help out. For more on this cause, click here.
Please, leave a comment- I really want to hear from you.
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Ironic timing. I needed to read that message today....thank you Doug!
Very well done, Doug. You know what you are talking about and now that you have been rescued, I'm very thankful that you are helping to rescue others. I love you very much.
I absolutely loved this message Doug!!! You rock!!!!
Nice work my brother. You are gifted. That was well said, beautiful, and it comes from the heart!! I appreciate you greatly.
This hit me square between the eyes when I read this. I had been beating myself up after discovering that I had procastinated on adding a team member to my Tupperware team. She joined with someone else. I feel like a failure and that people will talk about me for it. I know what I should have done and this isn't the only time I have failed. After having heart surgery and pacemaker implanted, along with Diabetes, I feel like I am always in a storm.
I believe in my head that God is trying to show me something, but my heart tells me -- YOU DID IT AGAIN - YOU AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
Thanks Doug for this message!