Rearview Rainbows

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

As we traveled down I-81 last weekend, we hit a nasty storm. It rained. Hard. We could hardly see the road let alone the cars in front or behind us. We put on our flashers and went 45mph (in a 70 mph zone) At this point, I was glad my husband was driving, because I tend to get nervous and worry. I have cried in the car before because I'm scared because a storm is so bad I can't see.

Just after we came through the storm, the sun was shining drying up the road. My husband told me to look in the rearview mirror at the rainbow. I looked back to see a huge rainbow (and later a double rainbow) gleaming across the sky.

It made me think about storms in our life. We all go through trouble, whether it be loss, depression, debt, loneliness, or another trouble. A lot of times when we are in these storms, we look around and all we can see is the storm. We see the raining of tears, winds that destruct, and dark clouds that make it hard to see the light. Just as the poem "Footprints" we need to trust God and rely on Him to carry us through these times. Sometimes we still wonder, "Lord, why are you letting this happen to me?" Just as the disciples were afraid as Jesus let a storm knock their boat to and fro.

"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping." Matthew 8:24 NIV

God always has a purpose in mind when he allows us to go through hard times, storms. After all, he loves us and he has the power to calm the storm at any point.

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." Luke 8:24 NIV

Often times we can't see the point while we were in the storm. But usually, as we look back after making it through the storm, that God has worked something good in our life because we have gone through the trouble. As we look back to where we have been, we can see the rainbows in our rearview mirrors.

You Never Let Go
Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Holly