oklahoma and dealing with fear.

From NBCNews.com : "The loss of life and stunning devastation in Oklahoma City suburbs after a monster tornado ripped through the area are heart-wrenching. But within hours, relief organizations were getting out the message on how to help.' 

For various ways to donate directly to the tornado victims in OK click here. 

I don't even know how to put into words really how what happened yesterday in Oklahoma is really truly my worst, truest fear come true. Tornado's scare me. Literally, physical reaction scared. When I was younger, I would be the one to wake my parents up during the storm and want to get in the hall way of our home when the sirens were going off. I still can remember what it feels like for my insides to shake in fear that we would be hit by a tornado. I can remember listening so closely to the radio and then outside to hear if I could hear it coming.

At some point this lessened, but only to a certain degree. It is still one of my worst fears. I try to explain to my husband my fear, but he doesn't understand. I think I illustrated it well when last fall I made him take a mattress off the bed and bring it into the hallway during a tornado warning. I can remember stories from past violent storms still in my head today. I can recall stories from my childhood of tornadoes that ripped houses away. I can recall the college students in Tuscaloosa two years ago talking about how they went under the foundation of a house for protection during that storm. I truly struggle with a fear of storms. 

The reality is that today it did happen to someone. Their worst fear came true. I can't imagine. I try and it hurts to much so I distract myself. Then, I feel guilty for ignoring the heart break of others. If I let myself, I will get drawn in to every story and let it consume me.



So, when tragedy or disaster strikes and the fear sets in there is only one thing I can do... turn my eyes upward. This life is temporary. This life is temporary. It's so hard to comprehend that, but the promises of hope abound in time of need. So, if you are struggling please remember the words of Paul, a man who suffered far more than I can even understand.

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.... For in this hope we were saved. (excerpts from Romans 8: 18-25) 

By coincidence, yesterday I began The Overflow Study on the You Version Bible App with Tenth Ave North and the verse above was part of yesterdays devotional in conjunction with this song. I will be post some on instagram if you'd like to follow along (only a week long study) @stephaniesclark. 

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