Storms, Fear, and Faith

As I sit at my comfortable table and type on this modern contraption of a computerized keyboard, I ponder the last hour's events.  A planned trip to Wichita by my son's school group, the threat of severe storm, and the washing away of the expectant travel opportunity.  Why, when the threat of a storm is present, do we tuck our heads and run for shelter?

Doesn't the most growth come through the most difficult pressures?  Isn't the saying "No Pain, No Gain?" a commonly accepted moral?  Don't the strong persevere through the difficult times? 

The reason, I feel, for our response to storms is that we lose sight of the goal! A plant pushes through the soil to bring forth life, the athlete sets her heart on successful competition, and the difficult persevere because they hold something in front of them.

Romans 5 declares that the end result of suffering is hope, hope that doesn't disappoint. When we are disappointed in life because the storm washes away our hope, we have only our eyesight to blame.