It is easy to offer advice to people going through trying times, just say a few words and “bam” you feel that you’ve done your part and hope that they feel encouraged. Such an approach to the suffering of others reminds me of what the half-brother of Jesus said in (James 2:15-16):
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”
Am I saying that we really can’t help others until “we’ve walked a mile in their shoes?” No, but the reality is that our words of empathy, understanding and compassion can lack a certain authenticity – it is often as the words of the bereaved state to the one who says “I know how you feel” – “no, you don’t.”
The Lord has been working on me regarding this subject lately and He used a well-known quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Rainy Day” to start it off:
The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.
My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
Rain, as you may know, is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. So as to not keep what I mean veiled behind the word, by rain I mean to point to the challenging moments in our lives that change our life’s trajectory either permanently or for a season and which, if allowed, cause us to lose track of our identity and purpose.
With regard to the rain, we don’t get to chose when it comes, whether it drops from the clouds or it takes the form of an unwelcome diagnosis or announcement; it comes as it pleases with the permission of the Lord and the best any of us (especially those who trust in the Lord) can do in advance of the rainy day or the storms of life is to remain focused on Jesus Christ and the promises found in His word.
Well, as I said, the Lord has been dealing with me on the subject of dealing with the rainy days of life by taking me through my own and reminding me that the rainy days of life DO NOT have the last word; He used the following Biblical passages to bring me back to the right perspective:
- When you want to give in to hopelessness, “Be STRONG in the Lord, in the power of His might!” Ephesians 6:10 (emphasis mine)
- LEARN “to be content in whatever state you are in…” (Philippians 4:11)
- ACCEPT adversity from God: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)
- BELIEVE that: “God shall supply all your NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- When you think you’re alone REMEMBER that “…He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- Because the Lord IS with you, keep the faith: “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:23–26)
The word of God contains multitudes more encouragement for those experiencing an extended season of difficulty. I offer these because it is easy to get caught in the rain (so to speak) and to become so overwhelmed and inwardly focused that we may fail to worship God for who He is; praise Him for what He is doing and serve Him in the work He has for us.
The rut of hopelessness and despair only gets deeper if we fail to recall to mind the Lord’s word and heed it when the rainy days come.
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