Who Says it Doesn’t Rain?
November 2, 2021 by Michelle Lim
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
By Michelle Lim –
Today I was grousing about a big disappointment that came my way. After all, shouldn’t I have a corner on the blessings market?
Not hardly. We are all on planet earth. Well, at least most of us.
Life comes with disappointment. There are wonderful blessings we can all be thankful for, but when things don’t go our way we act surprised and offended. At least I do sometimes.
What about those moments when we see others who have done wrong escape struggle, while we do not? It is especially irritating when it is someone who has treated us poorly. We do what Jonah did after preaching to the city of Nineveh. He walked to a hill overlooking the city waiting for God to destroy it. After all, they were enemies of Israel. This would be a great show.
But God didn’t see it that way. The people of Nineveh repented and God forgave them. For Jonah, on the other hand, God sent a worm to destroy the shade from the sun where he rested.
What did Jonah do? He complained. Sounds a bit too familiar to me.
This fall we have seen so many lose all of their earthly possessions, even their homes. Still, when was the last time you complained? I did just this morning about something considerably less significant.
Life isn’t always a stroll through the blessings market. In fact, sometimes it is downright devastating. We may never know on this earth why some of the struggles we face come our way, but none of us are exempt from hardship.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43 – 45 NIV).
Michelle Lim is a pastor's daughter and mom of four with a heart for teaching. She is a Romantic Suspense writer with three complete manuscripts that have earned contest recognition, as well as the nonfiction author of "Idea Sparking: Brainstorming Conflict In Your Novel" which releases in September. Michelle is the Brainstorm/Huddle Coach at My Book Therapy and serves as Vice President of MN N.I.C.E., a local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Thanks for the great reminder, Michelle. It’s all too easy to get sucked into the complaining mode when we should be running in thankful mode 24/7. There is always someone who has it worse – or better. Being content right where we are is the best way to live. Great post.
Thanks for this reminder, Michelle!
Sometimes it is so easy to forget. Glad you stopped by, Cynthia!
This seems ever more relevant after the events of last week. We rarely have anything that is worthy of complaint, but it is easy to do. Thanks for sharing and shining a light on a challenge many face.
I’m glad you were challenged. There are so many hurting this year. It seems almost like a monsoon, but in all of it God is with us.