


People all over the world live on islands with active volcanoes. Hawaii’s big island, the Canary Islands, the Solomon Islands, St Lucia, St. Kitts and many others in the Caribbean, and the list goes on. These are beautiful places to visit and to live. The people who reside there have learned how to negotiate times of activity and eruption.
Why am I talking about active volcanoes? More and more people today are struggling with the anger and stress that come from the frustration of dealing with an ever-maddening world situation. These stresses and angry feeling build up, and over time, people erupt. I am seeing more and more of this lately, in stores, in people’s driving, in personal interactions. Dealing with people’s anger and eruptions is difficult for an introverted peace-loving person. I do realize, however, that everyone is different, and everyone’s way of resolving conflict is very different. But how does a person such as myself cope with these eruptions and maintain personal peace in the midst of the lava, ash and explosion?
I decided to look at the tips given on the internet for surviving during an active volcano.
-Remain indoors with windows and doors shut until told it’s safe to come out.
-Stay away from areas with heavy ash fall.
-Clear ash from your home and property.
-Get medical care if necessary. (Source: wikihow.com)
Here is what I have gleaned from this advice as it pertains to people’s eruptions.
-When people are yelling and erupting, it is best to stay in a removed location. Remove myself from the scene of the eruption until it is over.
-Afterwards, stay away from the triggering topics to avoid getting burned until all is dormant.
-When things are very calm, deal with the issues calmly and try to remove the triggering frustrations or situations. Clear the ash from myself. Keep calm and carry on.
-If I need help in dealing with these eruptions, talk to someone. Get the help I need to survive and thrive.
And most importantly, keep my eyes fixed on the beauty of the volcanic mountain. All people are beautiful and made in the image of God. Those same people who are cutting you off in traffic, snarling at you in the checkout line, hanging up on the customer service phone are people who are in need of love, of acceptance, of salvation. They are hurting people who need God.
People living on a volcanic island usually love it. The beauty of the towering and rugged mountain is inspiring and amazing. It is their home. They have learned to negotiate the hazards safely.
Lord, give me the grace and sight to see everyone as You see them. We are all struggling these days with amazing amounts of stress. Give us Your strength.
Love, Lisa
Between personal family concerns, gas shortages, and world conflicts, I was feeling burdened and anxious today. Too much news and too little God. The fastest way for me to shut down these worries is to go outside. I just spent a glorious hour in God’s sunshine, looking up. Looking up at the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the birds. Feeling God’s breeze upon my face. Here are some wonderful verses that He placed in my mind as I enjoyed the hour. Hope they encourage you as well.
The sky:
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
” ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ ” -Acts 1:11
The mountains and hills:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121:1
“Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” -Psalm 90:2
The birds:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” -Matthew 5:25-27
Thank You, Lord, for Your reminders to me to look up. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Love, Lisa
This world likes to scare us. But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us power, love, and a sound mind. I thought I would find some of my very favorite journey photos my husband and I have taken over the years to try and replace the fear with the good God things this morning. Have fun thinking of your good God things this morning also. Love, Lisa
I have a very special guest blogger today….our fourteen year old daughter, Amy. Here is her beautiful poem. Enjoy.
A crystal, clear as water, fine as granulated sand…pure
Think about these things
Wind blowing softly through the pines, at the highest peak on the mountain
Think about these things
Waves crashing against majestic cliffs amidst a rising sun
Think about these things
Rain pattering gently onto the grass helping to nurture and tame
While the sun’s rays pull every blade higher and higher out of its secure underground
home
Think about these things
Think about what is worthy to be praised
The Lord should give us you every reason to feel a little dazed
For the Lamb is our love and our light
If He is in us, than we shall shine bright
Let us share these things with others
So that they may tell all their sisters and brothers
Rejoice in His name
And His blessings you will obtain
If anything is good or excellent, commendable or pure
Think about these things
c2020 Amy Lyons