Comfort in the Thunder
When I was a child, our golden retriever Rocky was the perfect dog! He was gentle, loyal and obedient … except during thunderstorms. Fear would completely change him leading to destructive behaviours, including one incident that caused nearly £20,000 in damage! Yet, we never stopped loving him. We forgave him instantly, knowing his actions came from fear, not malice. From then on we did everything possible to help him through storms—checking weather reports daily, staying home when possible, comforting him and making sure he felt safe.
Like Rocky, we can be living righteously when life’s storms hit—temptation, mental struggles or circumstances beyond our control. These moments can cause us to act out of fear or pain. My own ‘storm’ has been anxiety and panic attacks. They can strike without warning, leaving me feeling powerless, disconnected and at times I’ve felt spiritually weak because of them. But I’ve learned Christ’s Atonement isn’t only for sins; it’s for all suffering, including unseen battles.
Heavenly Father doesn’t abandon us in our storms. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: ‘However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made …I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love.’ The Apostle Paul reminds us: ‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life … shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Just as we cared for Rocky, we are called to care for each other. We are called to ‘comfort those that stand in need of comfort’, to listen and not judge. Heavenly Father has given us His Son and everything we need to endure life’s storms. There is no secret formula! We simply need to open our hearts, accept His love and trust that He will always help us through, no matter how fierce the thunder may be.
Invitation: Think of someone you know who may be in the middle of a storm. Pray to know how you can ‘sit with them’ through it, just as the Saviour would.