When Unexpected Storms Hit: Leading through Medical Difficulty

Summer in Atlanta makes me think of a few things: walking barefoot on warm concrete at night, being outside, longer days, humidity and thunderstorms. It seems like we’ve had a particularly stormy season this year, which has impacted our schedule on numerous occasions. It’s amazing to me how a storm can pop-up out of seemingly nowhere and completely change your day.

One morning this spring I got a text message from Mary Beth as the perfect example. It read, “Guess who got caught in a downpour at the playground on our bikes!! Note to self: hourly forecast not reliable. :)”

Soaked, and a little frazzled from wrangling a puppy and two little ones with bikes (one of whom had to be very brave to face the scary storm), Mary Beth made it home safe and sound.

Sometimes I feel like the storms of life are like this: You never know the timing or who will be under your care when the “unexpected” happens. The emotion, adrenaline and physical demands of medical difficulty in particular can leave you feeling soaked to the bone and a little “beat up.”

The Voice in the Storm

Jesus’ disciples had an experience with one of these “pop-up” storms, too. (I get the impression that it may have been a little more severe.) Here’s what happens:

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:23-27

How do you hear the phrase, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Do you hear it as a reprimand? Do you hear it laced with disappointment? I’m not sure what that evening was like, but I think it’s interesting that Jesus “replies” to the disciples, but “rebukes” the weather. I don’t think He is disappointed in us or reprimanding us when we feel “beat up” by our circumstances. I think He’s reminding us that He is with us, even in the turbulence, and that we can trust Him.

I am so grateful that during the times when we have been exhausted or battered by our medical journey with EoE that the Lord has been with us. It may have felt like He was asleep, but we never doubted that He is the King of our storm.

So, how did we keep our trust during the most painful, disorienting times?

We have a thing with sunsets in our family. For us, they are a reminder of God’s faithfulness to bring beauty and light out of the dark places. They remind us of the many times that God has shown his faithfulness to provide what we need (physically, emotionally and spiritually) right when we need it. They remind us of those crazy stories of provision that couldn’t have “just been a coincidence.”

We hold onto those memories during the times when it feels like God is extra quiet, and we know that on the other side, something beautiful awaits. Have you ever seen a sunset right after a thunderstorm? Those are some of the most breath-taking and majestic skies I’ve ever seen.

If you’re in the middle of some turbulence right now, hang in there! You are not alone.

If you’re on the other side enjoying the beautiful view, take a minute to share your story with someone who needs it.

(By the way, in case you missed it, it’s pretty amazing how God uses experiences in our lives to lead and guide us. Mary Beth and I both wrote posts on this topic within a few days of each other without knowing it. You can read her post here.)