Ever since Hurricane Beryl charged through the greater Houston area last Monday on July 8th, leaving a trail of flattened fences, scattered tree debris, and downed power lines, many of us have been overwhelmed with a variety of feelings: from stress and frustrations to hopefully some grace and gratitude as well. It’s easy to get blown over by negativity—our own or others’—so it’s important for us to bounce back with a positive mindset. Here are a few simple tips and thoughts to help you cope with the impact of Beryl.
Validate that it has been hard for you –
People often have one of two reactions to adverse events: we either sing our lamentations and complain excessively while feeling sorry for ourselves or we deny that it is even affecting us and dismiss our pain by saying something like, “someone else out there has it worse than I do.” A healthy approach would fall in the middle of these two extremes. It’s meaningful and helpful to validate your own difficulties and strife. The middle ground might sound something like this: “It has definitely been hard on my family to be displaced for a week and to endure this heat, but we are also glad that only part of our fence fell and our house is not damaged.” A statement like this validates the hardship. It is honest while still remaining balanced with gratitude. Feelings of anxiety and exhaustion can be expressed without staying buried in helplessness.
Keep your sense of humor –
What is the first thing you did when you heard a hurricane was forming off the coast and heading our way? Did you book a flight to Anchorage to get the heck out of town? Smart thinking! If not, at least keep a sense of humor. Having a sense of humor during crisis situations is a buffer and a balm for oneself and for others. Just avoid making jokes at other people’s expense or making jests of a difficult situation when it is still too fresh and raw for someone else. Comedians know that timing is everything. Regardless, it is always a safer bet to make light of your own circumstances. “A tree limb fell on my old junky car. I’d call that a perfect landing!” “No A/C? I never knew I could afford an in-home sauna. No A/C for a week?! Let’s pretend we’re in Cabo San Lucas, but without the pristine sand or blue ocean or frozen margaritas.”
The financial strain is real –
We were already in an economic recession with sky high inflation. Some people missed a week of work and lost freezers full of food. Small business owners skipped a week of revenue, straining budgets. What can we do? Enter the fence repair business of course! Every other home in Houston needs a new fence! Well, if a side hustle is not the answer you were looking for, it might be time to review your budget and make necessary adjustments for the coming months. Perhaps next year you will want to include a safety fund for a week of inclement weather. But what can we do right now? What is my priority? Do I need to create a money making opportunity to recuperate that week of finances? Do I need to cut back on expenditures? When we have our priorities clear, we are able to say “no” to good ideas that do not fit within our mission and purpose. Stay focused on the essentials.
Share the burden. – Get help or, if you are able, volunteer
There is a saying that “many hands make light work.” A burden shared is half as heavy, so if you find yourself in a time of need, be humble and ask for help. Asking for help is an opportunity for another person to be generous and an opportunity to encounter God and His grace. Connecting with others to share our experience, whether through a phone call or video chat, can be helpful even if we don’t receive physical assistance from the person.
If you are blessed to already have the physical and emotional resources that you need, consider lending a helping hand to others. As we look back at the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, we see an awe-inspiring example of many people coming together to help one another in moments of crises. Now in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, we can lend a hand to our community. Here are a variety of resources:
Give Drink to the Thirsty: (Water Distribution Centers)
- H20-2-Go! (12PM-1PM) | Yale Street Baptist Church – 4315 Yale St. Houston Tx 770018
- Luke Baptist Church, Rice Military (12PM-1PM) | 714 Detering St. Houston Tx 77007
- Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Heights (12PM-1PM) | 902 W. 8th Street – Houston Tx 77060
- Mission Baptist Church, Kashmere Gardens (2PM-3PM) | 3101 Chickering St. – Houston Tx 77026
- Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Acre Homes (4PM-5PM) | 6616 D. S. Bailey – Houston Tx. 77091
- Harvest Time Church, Greenspoint (6PM-7PM) | 1770 Imperial Valley Dr. – Houston Tx. 77060
Feed the Hungry: (Food Distribution)
Salvation Army Mobile Kitchens
- Spring Branch, Community Health Center, 8575 Pitner Rd, Houston
- Campanile Justice Park, 39 Justice Park Drive, Houston
- Shady Village Manufactured Homes & Wichita Mobile Home Park, 2732 Cherry Brook Lane, Houston
- Independence Hall Apartments, 6 Burress St, Houston
- Brazoria County – Roaming in Freeport and Lake Jackson
- Matagorda County – Markham Elementary, 200 6th Street and Palacios Elementary, 1001 5th St, Palacio
- Wharton County – Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N Fulton St, Wharton and Boling Lago High School, 407 Atlantic Ave, Boling-Iago
- Brazoria County – Angleton High School, 1 Campus Dr., Angleton, 77515 and Holiday Lakes Government Office, 195 N Texas Ave, Holiday Lakes, and roaming in West Columbia
- Matagorda County – Bay Breeze Apartments, 800 Ave F, Bay City and Matagorda Elementary 717 Wightman St., Matagorda
Nurture Your Spiritual Health –
Last but not least, our faith can be a tremendous source of strength, comfort, and resilience in times of crisis. Turning to God and the teachings of the Church can provide solace, guidance, and a sense of purpose as we navigate the challenges of recovering from Hurricane Beryl.
One of the most powerful ways to nurture our spiritual health is through prayer. Whether saying a simple “Hail Mary” or having a heartfelt conversation with God, prayer can help us find peace, clarity, and hope. Consider setting aside time each day for prayer. Don’t be afraid to pour out your fears, doubts, and sorrows to the Lord. Remember, He is always listening and loves you unconditionally. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, can provide spiritual nourishment and keep us connected to Christ and His Church. Reflecting on scripture and the lives of the saints also provides comfort and inspiration. The Bible is full of stories of people who faced tremendous adversity and found strength in God. The lives of saints like St. Jude, the patron of hopeless causes, and St. Teresa of Calcutta, who ministered to the poorest of the poor, remind us that God’s love and mercy are always present, even in the darkest of times.