Preparing Without Panic: A Lesson from the Ice Storm

Last week, a major ice storm was being predicted for our area here in Western North Carolina. The news and weather outlets were calling it a big one and urging everyone to prepare.

Three days before the storm, I headed to the grocery store. We hadn’t shopped in almost two weeks, and we genuinely needed supplies. I intentionally went in the late morning, a time that’s usually calm and quiet. But to my surprise, the parking lot was full, the store was crowded, and lines were already forming. Even the cashier commented that they weren’t prepared for it to be this busy so soon. Normally, people wait until the day before a storm to stock up. But this time felt different.

It’s only been about 18 months since Hurricane Helene hit our area—and hit it hard. At our home, we were without power, running water, cell phone service, and internet for ten long days. It was brutal. And yet, we were among the fortunate ones. We had five trees down on our property, our road was impassable for a time, but our house itself was unharmed. Many people we know lost everything. My dad’s home was a total loss.

So as this new storm approached, I realized something important: many of us weren’t just preparing for ice—we were reliving what we had already endured. The constant warnings on the news stirred memories, fear, and a deep sense of vulnerability. I think a lot of us were experiencing a form of PTSD, even if we didn’t have a name for it at the time.

And yet—here’s the lesson that gently emerged for me. Preparation isn’t the same as panic. Wisdom isn’t the same as fear.

There is nothing wrong with being prepared. In fact, stewardship calls us to be wise and thoughtful. But fear has a way of convincing us that we’re not safe, that we’re on our own, and that disaster is inevitable. When we’ve been through hardship, it’s easy for our hearts to go there quickly.

This storm reminded me how deeply our past experiences shape our reactions—and how much grace we need for ourselves and for one another. It also reminded me that God was faithful then, and He is faithful now. Even when memories resurface. Even when the forecast looks ominous.

In the end, we got a lot of ice. It’s still cold. But we didn’t lose power. The pipes didn’t freeze. And once again, I found myself counting blessings.

Maybe the invitation here is this: to prepare wisely, yes—but also to pause, breathe, and remember who carried us through before. To choose trust over fear. Gratitude over panic. Faith over flashbacks.

And to be gentle with ourselves as we heal—one storm at a time.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10

January 30, 2026 Morning Brew

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