Strength Through the Storm: Follow the Bison

I love Bison for one simple reason, they are the only animal that instinctively turns into the storm. Unlike other creatures that may seek shelter or flee, bison turn headfirst into any and every tempest. This remarkable behavior significantly reduces their time in discomfort and pain—a powerful metaphor for our lives when we directly confront our challenges. We can run from or prolong our storms or we can face them and head into the storm.

Imagine standing on a vast, open plain, the air charged with electricity as dark clouds grow on the horizon. As the first drops of rain begin to fall, you notice a herd of bison in the distance. Instead of running away, they turn towards the storm, their heads lowered, ready to face whatever comes their way. There's a sense of awe at this moment, a stirring realization of the bison's instinctual, yet counterintuitive, wisdom in choosing to meet the storm head-on.

But what does this mean for us?

Life, in its unpredictability, throws many storms our way. Emotional turmoil, personal challenges, divorce, bankruptcy, unexpected loss, expected loss. We are constantly moving through seasons of disorientation and reorientation. The human experience isn’t kind. In the face of such adversity, our instinct might be to turn away, to avoid the discomfort and pain at all costs. We numb, avoid, swipe right.. So many options for avoidance. Yet, this avoidance prolongs our suffering, leaves us emotionally stuck and unable to move forward.

So, how do we find our way through the storm rather than around it?

The bison teaches us a profound lesson: strength is found not in avoidance but in facing our struggles head-on and the way to triumph is through our surrender. "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen," as Brené Brown would say. It's about vulnerability, embracing the storm within and without, acknowledging our fears, and stepping into the fray with courage.

Name Your Storm: Speak it. Own it. Acknowledge the challenges and emotions you're facing without judgment. Lean into the discomfort. Just as Dan Allender suggests, "The path to healing is through embracing the pain, not avoiding it." Engage with your struggles, understand them, and seek the growth they offer.

Turn With Your Community: There are dozens of ways to communicate this truth. From “a chord of three strands is not easily broken” to “the strength of the bison is in the herd and the strength of the herd is in the bison.” The point being, we are all born into community (countries, states, counties, cities, families) because we are created to experience life within the context of intimate relationships where we are seen, accepted, nurtured, and encouraged to thrive. Head into the storm with those who believe in your best.

Move Forward With Purpose. Each step taken towards the storm shortens the time we spend enveloped in its shadows. We are not afraid of how long the storm lasts, because we trust ourselves to endure whatever it asks of us.

Imagine emerging from the storm, not unscathed but stronger and more resilient. This is the bison’s journey, and it’s ours also. By leaning in, we unlock the door to personal growth and healing, finding strength in the heart of the storm and emerging resilient and more prepared to live and serve.

The storms we face in life are gifts—great pain and great love will always leave us more resilient, courageous, and whole. There really is strength through the storm. Follow the bison’s lead and know that you a

Dig deep…keep going.