Rembrandts storm
Cumulonimbus
A cloud that forms a mass dense swelling shape created by the forming of water vapor. This is the largest from the categories of the 10 basic clouds that I studied.
This type of cloud produces the heavy rains that accompany it, as well as lightning and thunder. When this storm hits fear can easily frighten oneself in the midst of the sounds that are often heard. The mind can easily travel into an imagination that may not be pleasing when this cloud arrives.
A famous 1600 painter by the name of Rembrandt painted an image of the biblical account of Jesus on the boat with His disciples In the passage of Mark 4:35-41
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
When the storm came fear gripped the disciples. It was something unexpected and unforeseen. It was the reaction of the storm that they could not control. For a moment, fear had overtaken them and a lack of trust was depleted. It was a moment in time, a flash. Then Jesus questioned them. Why are you so afraid? They looked at each other astonished as quite suddenly as quick as the storm came, it was by His Word the wind obeyed Him and immediately stopped.
Who can this be that He has the power to stop the storm? How many internal storms had I lived through? While the external life circumstances travailed and the storm within me lived on.
He had the power to stop them. Yet, I still had to live in them. What lessons had I learned from this type of storm? In truth, you live through them searching for ways to not be pulled under the water.
I learned community is so important. Jesus reigned. His Word is truth and the storm eventually stops, books by authors were a sweet friendship, serving and helping others got my mind off of myself, walking and hiking trails were a beautiful distraction, family was everything to me. I became a learner of the natural world writing my way through my experiences. I learned how to survive through the storms.
The storm stopped and peace came.