Whether there were plenty of warnings or no warning at all, storms arise. Oftentimes, there are a multitude of signs that indicate that a storm is approaching – the atmosphere changes giving us plenty of time to avoid the storm or hunker down to wait it out. But many times, storms arise suddenly, apparently out of nowhere and since there is no warning, there is no time to prepare ourselves or to protect ourselves. In either case, it is what you do BEFORE the storm that will determine how you will respond IN the storm! The most vivid example is the contrasting correlation between the chicken and the eagle.
According to ‘The Chicken Chick’, it’s best to bring backyard chickens indoors. The chicken is not equipped to handle the rigors of a storm. It’s best defense is evacuation to a safe place – usually somewhere indoors. They are gathered into small groups that are housed in temporary spaces. If that’s not possible, then it’s regular residence – the chicken coop – must be must be inspected for vulnerable spots and quickly secured. The immediate area must be surveyed and potential dangers removed; inventories of feed and first aid must be fully stocked. The entire plan of protecting the chicken during a storm is based on the mindset ‘hunker down and wait it out’. It’s a reactionary stance that can leave one both totally dependent and completely uniformed. It is a mindset that reflects fear.
However the eagle’s response to an impending storm is quite different. Eagles LOVE storms! The eagle is equipped to take advantage of the elements of the storm for its benefit. The raging wind becomes a soaring enhancer. What was designed to bring chaos, provides a season of rest. Dr. Myles Munroe is known for his teaching on ‘The 7 Principles Of An Eagle’ where he is quoted as saying, “Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm’s wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagles uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.” He later goes on to say, “We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.”
It is our reactions to the storms in our lives that truly reveal our faith stance – We either gather in groups to ‘ride out the storm’ like chickens, or we embrace the challenge to ‘ride over the storm’ like eagles. Our mindset determines if we will hunker down and hide or if we will take to the skies and soar!