When it Rains, It Pours
Do you ever wonder why many times when struggles come in life, things tend to get thrown at you all at once? One bad thing happens, and then another thing gets thrown on you, and another and another. I’ve had times like this before, and many times, the thought comes in to my mind… “When it rains, it pours.” We’ve all heard it before… some of us use it regularly.
Jesus once said, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!”
From the book of Matthew chapter 7, verses 24 through 27 (HCSB).
Perhaps the best place to start, is our foundation. Where does it stand? What all have you built it on? Time and time again, it’s so easy to build the foundation on sand… it’s easier to get to in order to start building rather than a big rock, and it seems ‘more fun to play on’ once it’s built. Nice sand, nice beach, nice view. I’ve done it before, that is for certain. I’ve had it washed away before too. I’ve started over before in my life. I hope I’ve learned to build my foundation on a solid piece of Rock this time around.
But no matter where I build my foundation, notice something key… the rain doesn’t stop coming. Where you build your foundation says nothing about what will happen to the weather around you. I assure you, my friends, it will still rain in life. It will storm from time to time. No man has ever escaped that fact. But why is this happening? How can I get out of it? Who do I turn to when it is happening? Who can possibly help me through it, when I so many times am trying to fight through it myself. I can pull myself out of it. I can get through it. Alone.
“For I know the purposes which I am planning for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace, and not for evil; to give you posterity and a hope. Then you shall call on Me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you shall seek and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
From the book of Jeremiah chapter 29, verses 11 through 13 (LITV).
While I don’t claim to have all the answers as to ‘why,’ I have to learn to lean on God to show me how to get through it, and to give me the strength to get through it. It’s not as easy as it sounds… this, I understand. But we must try. Sometimes the storms come and we wonder if we’ll ever make it through it. Throwing us around, or raining so hard you can’t see two feet in front of you, or just plain soaking you to death and you’re wet, and cold, and tired of it all.
Jesus and the disciples were once out on a boat in the waters, when a storm came in, rocking the boat about, and waves crashing in, all the while Jesus was in the back sleeping… “They went to him and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you who have little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!””
From the book of Matthew chapter 8 verses 25 through 27 (ISV).
Another time not too long after this, the disciples were alone in a boat while Jesus was on the shore, praying, and a storm came in… “But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!””
From the book of Matthew 14:24-33 (HCSB).
Time and time again, I read in the Bible about storms and even trials that come in to people’s lives. The reasons vary, and can also include testing from God, reprimand from God, evil from Satan, and so on, but whatever the reason, most times the core remains the same… Trust in Jesus. Simply put. Do not doubt. Have faith that He will pull you through the situations. Trust in His word. God’s Word. Have courage. Have faith.
“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will act wisely. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
From the book of Joshua, chapter 1 verses 7 through 9 (NASB/lit.).
We don’t always get to know why the rain comes, and why sometimes when it does, it pours so much. We don’t always get to ask the questions, or make up from down sometimes, but I think if we can learn to put our trust in God, put our trust in Jesus, that He will show us through it… that He will get us through it. If you don’t know Jesus, if you go through all the storms time and time again, only getting your foundation washed away on the sand, if you don’t believe He is who He said He was, I urge you to look in to it. Talk to someone who does know Him, and ask them to show you. If you won’t do that, for your own reasons, then simply look to the Heavens and ask God Himself to show you. I believe He will. Then, you can build your house on the solid Rock.
