The storms of life...they come and
they go. Some of us experience an occasional
"thunderstorm" while others of us feel a
steady "downpour." There is no doubt that
the life of a believer is filled with good times and
not so good times.
Jesus said that in this world we
would experience tribulation. Paul the Apostle spoke
of fights from within and without. Yet there is
victory for us in every situation. We can experience
triumph whether our life is up or down because we have
the promise that God will be with us during the worst
of times, and the assurance that He will bring others
along side us at just the right moments who have
already had their share of storms. They have already
felt the pains, experienced the losses, known the
rejection, fought the fears, and they not only have
survived their experience, but they are useful to The
Master.
Have you ever asked God to use you?
Did it ever seem like you were plagued by "the
storms" and experienced less sunshine then ever
before? If so, then see that God's Hand is at work
preparing you. How? THE RAIN. We Christians would
benefit from the secret that even the little flowers
of the fields know. If it never rained...then they
would never grow. Sometimes it is showers...other
times torrential downpours. Regardless, the end result
if we do not drown in our sorrows is GROWTH. We get a
little bigger in Jesus. We become a little stronger.
The fragrance of Christ that is emitted from our lives
grows a bit sweeter. We become "useful" to
The Master.
If you have been through the storms
of life...do not waste your sorrows. Use what you have
experienced to help someone else. Be the one who
instead of becoming bitter becomes better.
Perhaps you are in the midst of a
storm today. The clouds have burst open, and it looks
as though your life is falling apart at the seams. You
are tired of the dark sky and want the sun to shine
again. Be assured...this too will pass. In the
meantime, instead of counting raindrops...look for the
"umbrellas."
Search your situation and see the
"blessings" that God has, is, and will send
your way. He Himself will never leave you¾
that is a promise that is secure. However, He has sent
an "umbrella" or two your way to shield you
from the rain and bring you comfort in your time of
pain. Why? Because He does not want you to drown.
He is building you to be strong and
sound. When He has done so, you will look in the
mirror and be surprised to see that you have taken on
the appearance of "love" which will shield
and comfort hurting people above all else.
Dry your eyes weary one...see those
in your life who walk in the rain with you...yes, they
are His umbrellas. Receive their comfort and find some
relief from your pain...the Son will soon shine again.
Prayer:
Father, I come to You right now in
a spirit of weakness and humility. I humbly bow
before You God. In the Name of Your Son Jesus, the
Name above every other Name I cry out to You and ask
You to bring comfort to Your children. Thank You for
the promise that You have made never to leave us.
You are with us always, and You bring us through all
things because in You we are more than conquerors.
For that, we praise You.
We ask too, Father that You would
help us during the dark times of our lives to have
an ear to hear and eyes to see that which You want
us to see. Let us recognize the blessings that You
place in our lives. Let us realize and allow our
hearts to trust the "umbrellas" that You
send our way. They are Your people whom You have
fashioned into coverings to help us walk on through
the rain until the sun shines again. Give us
discernment, Father.
Help us not to get so caught up in
the storm that we miss the coverings. For truly, You
have given some of Your special treasures hearts
full of love...softened and saturated by the storms
they have endured. Let us allow them the opportunity
to play the role You have written for them in the
scripts of our lives.
Moreover, Father, please help us
not to get bitter. Help us to become
"better" because of the hard times. Help
us not to waste our sorrows but to instead share the
comfort, peace, and love that You have so freely
shown us so many times in our lives. We love You. We
thank You. Thank You for making us into people
worthy to bear Your name...and thank You for making
and sending "umbrellas" in the rain.
