“Don’t let it rain on your parade!” These were the words of my sister spoken to me many years ago when I got my feelings hurt. I give credit to my sister and my mom for teaching me how to “dance in the rain”, “find an umbrella” or “find the sunshine on a rainy day!”
From the youngest age I can remember having “rainy days” in my life which still happen today. I define rainy days in life as, not just having little things go wrong at times, but even having circumstances go VERY WRONG and be painful and sad. We all experience situations–hurtful words from someone, not being invited to that party, having a friend move away, not making cheerleader, being cut from a team, passed over for a promotion, broken promises, a broken heart or simply being misunderstood. Fill in the blank with any number of things. If you are breathing and living life, these kinds of things are going to happen.
Learning what to do when you find yourself in these circumstances is invaluable to being able to “Push through” in life and keep dancing! I love the verse found in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three things remain faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” These are the 3 key truths to dancing in the rain, opening your umbrella or finding your sunshine in life.
1. Faith is what I like to describe as “Dancing in the Rain!” The definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1, “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” A stream of what I call living trust based on God’s future promises and on what He has already fulfilled in the past.
Faith is increased when you actually put it in action. When the “rain” comes in your life, you choose to have the faith that God is there and will hold and guide you. You “choose to dance!” Keep moving. Trusting you will see the sun again.
2. Hope is what I like to call “finding your umbrella!” It is picking up your “umbrella” and opening it. Choosing to walk in the “rain” in life with the CONFIDENT EXPECTATION that the rain will stop. Proverbs 23:18, “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” And Ecclesiastes 9:4, “But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” Having hope and “being a living dog” is much better than giving up and being a “dead lion!” God is our hope! Open your umbrella and start walking!!!
3. Love! The greatest is embracing God’s love. It is the “Sunshine” that never stops no matter how hard it is raining!!!! Romans 8:37-39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we accept Jesus as our Savior, there is nothing (NO LIFE RAIN) that can stop God’s love for us!!! We just have to RECEIVE HIS LOVE! When it is raining in life, the “sunshine” you can always find is HIS presence, His comfort, and His provision. Turning to the real “sunshine” is found in reading His word and sitting in His presence. He is FAITHFUL to show up! And He will provide the HOPE!
When it rains in life, I encourage you to dance, open your umbrella, and walk toward the “Sonshine!”