Stepping Stones: Are You a Storm-Chaser?

Transformational Thought

Tornado chasing is a thrill-seeking activity made popular by the movie Twister. It depicted people, professionals and amateurs alike, who literally chased life-endangering storms. These types of people are actually drawn to the storms. Most do it to take once in a lifetime photos…others do it for the thrill and the danger. They are adrenaline junkies.

As writers for Stepping Stones Devotionals we often reference “storms” in our lives, times of turbulence, anxiety, darkness, and impending doom. The general connotation is that storms come out of nowhere and hit us when we least expect them…that we have no early-warning system.

There is a certain group of people (I have been one myself in the past) who actually create and chase life’s storms. They make conscious choices that lead them right into the eye of a storm…and they repeatedly make those same bad choices. Not only do they create storms for themselves, they create storms for all those around them.

Various reasons exist for making these choices, but the bottom line is that we get some satisfaction or perceived benefit from that choice. The gain might not outweigh the downside of the decision, but in the moment we don’t care, and that little gain is all we focus on.

Some storms arrive without warning and we cannot avoid them: catastrophic sickness, a car accident, a fallen economy. There are also storms created by our poor decisions. Of course, we know that the enemy is constantly trying to influence us to make bad choices that damage our lives and souls. However, we must also accept that we were created with this beautiful thing called free will…we always have choices.

Today, examine yourself. Identify the areas of your life where you are a storm-chaser. Bad habits, a loose tongue, a caustic attitude, guilt, anger, anxiety issues, relationship problems with a spouse, kids, parents, or co-workers. These usually have some element of storm-chasing. Do you make choices that yet again place you smack in the eye of a storm? Consider choices you could make to avoid a storm…think how you might create your own great weather. WITHIN REACH will help you examine your decisions, helping you step away from storms and into clear weather. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I humble myself under Your almighty hand. As I truthfully examine my past actions, I see I am guilty of creating and chasing storms. I no longer want to seek storms. I also know that You are my lighthouse in the storms I cannot avoid. Help me, Lord, to stop chasing storms and chase You instead…Help me run away from storms by constantly setting my compass toward You. I pray in the name of my early-warning system, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7