Riding Out the Storm

In her book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie talks about how to avoid being blown about by every wind. For those who are or have been affected by alcoholism or some other dysfunction in a loved one or in their family of origin, it can be difficult not to feel every bump in the road, as if we are suffering from permanent whiplash.

Remember the Bible story, a favorite of children, in which Jesus has fallen asleep on the boat with his disciples when a great storm suddenly begins to rage? His followers wake Jesus up, fearing for their lives. He comments on their lack of faith before quieting the storm. We codependents are not the type to sleep through storms. We are ever alert, ever vigilant, waiting for the other shoe to drop. If we can only catch it this time, before it hits the floor... We try to solve our problems on our own, without help, divine or otherwise. After all, we are the ones who hold everything together, get everyone to the storm cellar before the tornado hits the farm. But then we find ourselves still outside screaming, "Auntie Em, Auntie Em!"

Somehow we must learn to reside in the calm center of the tornado. There is a still place within the storm, and we need to be able to relax in the arms of God while chaos rages all around us. How do we do this? Prayer is the number one answer. Some people also meditate, fast, practice yoga, read the Bible. We need to take care of ourselves and stay in the present moment. If you look up and the sky is not falling, you are okay. Using the tools in the Paths of Grace for recovery will get us there, if we are consistent.

People usually say that it is more common to turn to God during the bad times and forget to pray during the good. But I think the opposite is just as common. When I get stressed out and caught up in a toxic situation, I sometimes neglect to turn to God with my concerns. I get caught on the merry-go-round to the point of puking, but I don't know how to slow it down. If prayer is your daily habit, you will be more inclined to talk to God in every situation, the good, the bad, the ugly--and the beautiful. In future posts I will begin to form a specific outline for Paths of Grace and then explore each path in detail. I hope you continue on this journey of recovery with me.