Disaster Plan

Yesterday there was a chance of severe weather across Iowa, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. Early in the day the teachers here at school received an email regarding our plan in case the severe weather hit. As should be the case, a plan had been developed for such an emergency, and we were prepared as well as possible to protect our students and staff from harm in the event of catastrophe.

We have plans in place for bomb scares, armed intruders, abductors, blizzards, fights, fires, and stubborn trains that delay students' arrival to school. For almost every disaster that can be conceived, we have something written down and in place. When all hell breaks loose, we'll see how solid those plans are. Regardless, they exist, and we know what we hope to do when the worst of the worst happens.

I'm being to realize that we each need an emotional catastrophe plan in place as well. Frankly, it is the emotional catastrophes that are much more likely to occur than the natural, physical ones. Which is likelier: a death of someone close to you, or an F5 tornado? Despair and frustration in relationships, or fire? An unexpected change in your occupational status, or a bomb at your office? Both could happen, but why would we be better prepared for the least likely scenarios than we are for those that are certain to occur?

David offers such a plan in Psalm 57. Hiding from king Saul in a cave, fearing for his life, feeling betrayed and doubtful and helpless, David knows what to do: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed" (v.1). The plan wasn't murky; David knew what to do in the worst of scenarios. Our plan yesterday was to go to our new FEMA room/storm shelter. David had a shelter all ready for his heart, a place to hole up until the disaster passes.

Once David finds the shelter, the next steps in his plan are clear as well. "I cry out to God Most High," he writes. "My heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. . . I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations." Regardless how difficult it may be to follow this plan when the unexpected has attacked him, David knows that this plan gives him the best chance to navigate the unexpected calamity.

Having this clear plan in place allows us not to avoid emotional pain and despair, but to manage it. Rather than spinning wildly out of control until one day we hopefully arise from the internal ashes, rather than hitting rock bottom before we seek a way out, instead we give ourselves a chance to minimize the damage. The hurt will still hurt. But the medicine will be available. The damage will be minimized. The salve for our souls will begin the healing process sooner. And if our plan is like David's, in it all we will see God while we hurt, not after.