Some don’t like storms. The fear of damage, destruction and loss. Even the wind blowing can cause a panic.

Yet there is a good side to storms. The strong winds are a natural form of pruning – blowing off dead and weak branches…blowing down leaves in the fall to mulch the corners of the garden and woods. The wind actually causes roots and branches to grow stronger as they stand up to resist the wind’s power.

Our bodies grow stronger – bones and muscles – as we work and use them. Kneading bread will really strengthen your core. Washing windows and mopping floors stretches and lubricates all kinds of our muscles. Even thinking through hard problems calls upon hidden reserves of our mind looking for solutions. We are made to weather storms and come out stronger through them.

One lightning bolt adds natural nitrogen fertilizer to acres of land with a single strike. That’s why everything is greener after a good thunderstorm.

Storms show us loose shingles that blew off the roof – possible leak this winter. The wind helps us see where to plug up drafty windows and doors, or where the ground is low around the foundation and water pools into the basement, and then we find out the sump pump stopped working.

Personally, when storms caused by another’s comment or action try to rock our boat, we can see the area we need to shore up better so we’re not weak and touchy there. We can discover and correct character flaws when those windy gales blow on us. Yes, sometimes these storms appear suddenly out of nowhere. But we can prepare and use the storm to strengthen us and see what we’re made of.

Has the wind been blowing hard in some direction in your life you need to strengthen? I know it has in mine.

Let’s grow stronger together.