Dancing in the Rain
Looking back at the year we had, how well would you say you handled the change and the uncertainty that struck our nation? I can say with confidence that I did not take it well. I was angry, sad, and frustrated with how my plans disappeared, and life changed within just a few weeks.
Over a year later, how would you say you feel now? I still can’t say I‘m elated that my mission trip to Nicaragua was canceled or ecstatic that I was sent home from college; however, I can say that amid the difficulty, the Lord continued to fill me with joy.
Walking through the chaos that broke out, I was confused (as most were), and I didn’t know what was to come. Now that I look back, I have a new perspective. At first, I was bitter, now I am thankful. I was hurt, now I am healed. I was sad and lonely, now I am joyous and filled with peace. I had to learn that it isn’t about changing the circumstances (especially those out of our control); it is simply about learning to dance in the rain.
It is inevitable that circumstances will arise in our lifetimes that we do not like and cannot change. We can either choose to be upset about it, or we can learn to find beauty in it. It may rain outside when we were planning on sunshine, but in the end, the attitudes we have about it are up to us. We could stay inside all day, staring out the window, wishing we could be outside, or we could get up, get out, and go dance in the rain.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You (God) make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
In His presence, there is fullness of joy. He renews us and fills us with peace as we battle through the difficulties life throws at us. He is the beauty throughout our hard days. He is the reason we dance and sing.
Our joy should not be dependent on the condition of the world or the events happening around us. Our joy comes from the Lord and can be found when we trust in Him and live by His word. He sees what we cannot, and He knows what is to come before we ever walk through it.
No matter the sunshine or the rain, I want to encourage you to find joy throughout the day. Some days are especially hard, and everything seems to go wrong. Even then, it is important to find the beauty and the light in each day. We have to hold onto the Lord’s word and His goodness through the joy and the pain. As Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows who takes refuge in Him.”