Insured

Arriving home after a long day at work, I unlocked the front door and stepped into a pool of standing water. I turned on the light to find my entire entryway, kitchen, and foyer flooded. Hearing gushing water, I followed the sound to my main floor bathroom and saw water pouring out of the toilet (not the stool, but the tank itself). I hastily located the shut-off valve and turned off the water but could still hear what sounded like a heavy downpour. I sloshed through the inch of water that covered my carpeting and headed to my basement, where I saw water raining down through the rafters throughout most areas of the basement.

The damage was extensive, and repair called for experts to remove the trim from the walls, drill 1” holes at the base, pull up carpeting to remove saturated padding, and tear up the linoleum in the entryway. I sat amongst the ten industrial fans and two humidifiers the restoration crew had placed to dry out my carpeting, walls, and flooring, and calculated my losses. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt righteously sorry for myself, so hosted my own Pity Party, asking those questions I’d asked myself so many times in the past, “Why? Why me? Why now?” And that wound up making me feel even more sorry for myself because there were no answers.

Bridge (After the Storm)

Friends and family were very supportive, and insurance picked up most of the tab for damages. But, since so much of an insurance claim deals with the losses and the negatives, it was easy for my mind to follow that downward spiral. A couple days later, when my sisters visited my home to assess the situation, I awaited their condolences and sympathetic gestures. Surely, they would commiserate with me!! However, neither said what I expected. In fact, they each voiced the most amazing things that literally caused my self-pitying thoughts and attitude to have an “about-face.”

One said, “Thank God you have a basement. If not, where would the water have gone? You’d have had a living room of ruined furniture.” The other exclaimed, “Talk about a wonderful gift wrapped in an ugly bag! You get new carpeting and tile! Praise God!”

Blesson

It’s true what is said about water. It is a wonderful friend but can be a formidable enemy. Just as it can refresh, cleanse, and provide the basis for electrical power, enjoyment, and travel; its force can damage, erode, and destroy. The same can be said for your emotions. Based on their root, emotions can invigorate, inspire, and drive or they can distort, debilitate, and weaken. Whether positive or negative, emotions are powerful.

My immediate response to this flood was one of turmoil. My emotions ranged from disbelief and fear to self-pity and indignation. I couldn’t stop asking myself what I had done to deserve this latest in a long line of spoils. As a Christian, my mindset was one of confusion. Why had God allowed such a thing to happen since He knew my financial state wasn’t favorable?

And then, as He always does, God revealed the truth to me — this time through my sisters — helping me to realize that not only did I have insurance coverage, I had God coverage. Our daily life consists of hills and valleys and, though we don’t always experience immediate deliverance from our problems, God promises to cover us with His wholeness, healing, protection, provision, and preservation. An “insurance policy” like no other!

Substance

“So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you! Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God! True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound; the same hand that hurts you, heals you. From one disaster after another he delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can’t touch you.” Job 5:17 (The Message) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 (Amplified)

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