“We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.” (St. Francis De Sales)
So often, when those storms come a rumbling in life, people have the tendency to run to something for ease and comfort, especially when those storms end up lasting for more than just a short period of time. Over the last several years, I have had one of those tumultuous storms going on myself and unfortunately, so far it hasn’t passed yet. But through it all, I’ve remained clean and sober from all of my former addictions and have not run to anything to take the pain away that this storm has constantly brought me. I believe there’s only one reason why I’ve been able to do this and that’s God. Why I do say this? Because every time I ever sought out ease and comfort in the past during any of those storms that came upon me, I never asked God to help guide me through them. Instead, I was always trying to shield myself as fast as possible from those storms, seeking quick relief, and doing everything I can to avoid the pain they brought me. Yet ironically, some of the greatest spiritual growth I’ve made in life has come through enduring this tumultuous storm for as long as I have. And the only thing I’m really doing differently now is asking God every day for the strength, guidance, and direction to make it through. Somehow it’s working and somehow I just know this storm will eventually pass, because they always do. Some pass quicker than others, but no matter what the length, the only way I know today to avoid seeking that quick ease and comfort while going through them is to ask God for help, of which I will continue to do until it ends, because it will.
I pray for the strength, guidance and direction to safely make it through this storm and I pray I continue to endure it rather than seek ways to avoid it, as I know I will spiritually grow in doing so, as much as I know the calming of it will eventually come.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson