Through the Storm

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

This picture of our black Labrador Retriever was taken several years back.  Adi and I had headed out into the cornfields for a walk one winter morning and had gotten caught in a snow squall. 

The image of her head bent, fighting the wind yet moving forward one steady step at a time resonates loudly with me right now.  For some time now, I’ve been walking a tough road with my oldest teenager as she battles the symptoms and fallout of anxiety and depression.  To be brutally honest, this can seem like a very isolating journey.   Yet in the midst of the most difficult days when the storm rages the loudest, I can say with confidence the Lord is present, walking each step of the way with us. His helping hand always within arm’s reach.  Sometimes His hand looks like a

An offer to sit with a friend to talk and cry over a cup of specially brewed coffee.

My mother’s voice of reassurance.

A dear friend who speaks life into my daughter and prayers faithfully for and over her.

The wisdom of Christian women the Lord has put on my path who are walking or have walked similar journeys with their daughters.

I share this to say that walking with the Lord does not mean life is storm free.  Rather, it means that I face each storm with One that is far greater, far stronger, and far wiser by my side.  He is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  He is there to be the same for you.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and form  and the mountains quake with their surging.”  Psalms 46: 1-3 (NIV)

© 2025, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

26 thoughts on “Through the Storm”

  1. O Lord, it breaks our hearts when loved ones suffer pain. We know it breaks your heart too. I pray for Beth’s daughter that you would ease her anxiety and depression. I thank you that under your wings she can find comfort and refuge (Psalm 91:4). For Beth, I thank you that you provide wisdom and discernment to those who ask. P.S. Please keep us informed concerning her progress, Beth. We will continue to pray.

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    1. Thank you so much Nancy for the lovely prayer. She is holding her own. As a component of her depression is seasonal we are embracing the longer days and warmer temps that come with the promise of spring.

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  2. Praying for you, your daughter, and your family. God is with us through all the storms. Our oldest son has been going through a similar storm in his late thirties. His marriage fell apart, and he has really struggled. I ask for your prayers for our son and our family as well. Scripture reminds us that with God’s help all things are possible. Matthew 19:26. I believe this verse with all of my heart, even when my own heart is breaking. God is there with us in the midst of the storm, as the wind blows hard against us…He stands with us, no matter what! I know that God is so much bigger than the wind and that is what I cling to. You are surely in my prayers!

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  3. God will lead you through this time Beth and your daughter. I can empathise having been through a time in our family when I felt totally inadequate and out of my depth not knowing what to say or do for fear of getting it wrong but God’s grace kept us afloat. Sharing our struggles with those close who will pray, give comfort, listen, give wise advice and uphold us is precious. We can take comfort that God’s light will enable us to travel through the dark times. There is hope and light ahead.

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  5. Beth, the vulnerability you show here, in telling your daughter’s story, and how you’re coping with it as her mom, will likely give some of your readers the courage to share their stories. There is healing in inclusion and community; especially when we seek shelter together from similar life situations.
    I will pray for your daughter, as someone else said, right now.

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    1. Thank you David for your words of encouragement and for your prayers. You are absolutely right that healing comes with community. When it all began to unfold, I felt like I was on an island until the Lord began to drop women into my life who have weathered a similar storm

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      1. Andy B of The BerryBunch's avatar BerryBunch.family

        you’re very welcome Beth

        by the way I emailed you the other day. my last one to Mandy (Blue Collar Theologian) never arrived at her inbox, so I’m just checking on here…

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  8. The worst storms are the ones that we cannot tell anyone about when we are walking through. But even in those, it has been a comfort to know that Jesus is there, He understands what I do not and is ready to listen. God bless you and your daughter as you face that wind and snow. Thanks again for such a petfect photo of Adi to fit situation.

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  9. Sister Beth I am praying for you, your daughter, and your family in these storms. Our Father God is the Master of the storms.

    He caused the storm to be still,
    So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
    Then they were glad because they were quiet,
    So He guided them to their desired haven.
    Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,
    And for His wonders to the sons of men!
    — Psalm 107:29-31

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  10. Indeed, life is not storm free, Christian or not. I’m sorry your daughter is struggling with her mental wellbeing, Beth. I’m grateful you are there to help guide her through this tough stretch of her journey. I’m far away from my teen years, but I find myself struggling with mental health at the moment. So your post was timely. Thanks for sharing a piece of your heart and soul with us.

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    1. Thank you Rainer! She and I had a really good conversation on managing a chronic illness such as her depression. My hope is to equip her with tools and resources she can pull on as she ventures out one day into her adult life. The Lord has certainly blessed her with a beautiful support system within His body of believers including a counselor, a mentor and other strong women of faith have come alongside her in this journey supporting her in prayer.

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  11. Beth, thank you for sharing your heart in such a deep way. All of us parents can fill in the blank concerning issues and concerns we have over our children. They are storms that certainly do intimidate and isolate us in many ways. I love the hope you have and shared with us of the Lord’s presence and care shown to you in very sweet ways. I’m stopping right now to pray for your daughter and for you. Bless you, my friend.

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