You are a lake with still not yet disturbed water surface. Troubles are stones thrown or falling by chance at the lake. They create waves of insecurity, which cross the whole lake and disappear with time. One wave though might be big, usually doesn't break the surface. Two waves create greater waves in the intersections, which travel all over the lake. If there is a third wave, they might combine with it twice and create a kind of splash. But if there are 4 or more waves disturbing the surface at the same time there is a chance of great collision, while the chance and the potential damage of such collision grows with count of active waves. This power of destruction can overcome the strength of the superficial tension of your lake and break you down.
There are beautiful flowers in a flourishing lake. They act as wave cutters. Beware of stones. They might hit flowers and destroy them, leaving you unprotected.