Storm Clouds, Sunshine, and Hope.
The storm clouds of life can bring us anxiety, fear and unexpected troubles. However, like the sun keeps shining above the clouds, we can trust that Jesus is there through our troubles.
Puzzles, Kittens and Puppies
You can find all types of pictures on puzzles from cute kittens and puppies to amazing scenery. There might be clouds in the pictures or bright sunshine. There can be a variety of seasons represented as well. Just like the scenes we see in life or take photos of, these puzzles represent the artist or photographers view of the weather, season, and scene. The bright colours and sunshine often grab our eye. The peaceful places give us pause and the cute critters cause a chuckle.
Seasons of Life
Life takes us through various seasons. The weather can be an instant topic of conversation. On the prairies we experience changeable weather, especially in spring. It can go from hot summer temperatures to freezing within a day or two and then back again. Winter weather adds its own challenges.
Storm Clouds of Life
The storm clouds of life are not always what we long to see but they happen in the weather and in our everyday lives. Sometimes we feel like the gloom won’t lift. A few years ago, my family spent some time in Southern Ontario with its milder temperatures during the winter. But we needed to go home.
At the airport, a few lazy flakes of snow fell from the dark skies with a low ceiling, promising more white stuff to come. The grey day matched my mood because saying good-bye to the grandchildren proved difficult, especially when we couldn’t tell them exactly when we might return. Once boarded on our plane, I stared out the winter as people readied the plane for take-off. The stormy winter sky required extra diligence on their part. The cold winter weather required extra layers of clothes for warmth and extra work by ground crews to ensure the ice build-up did not hinder the plane’s functionality in the sky. Even though passengers’ patience wore thin with the delays this caused, I appreciated their safety consciousness.
Sun Above the Clouds
Greyish-black, snow-filled clouds enveloped the plane shortly after take-off. We felt a few minor jostles as the plane pushed its way higher into the sky, trying to take us above the turbulence. Suddenly it punched through the last dark cloud bank and emerged unscathed on the other side of the storm. Sun now poured into the windows and the view of a bright blue sky around and above us with a carpet of puffy, white, pillow like clouds below captured my attention. On the ground, my focus had been on the disappearance of sunshine and the blackness of the building storm. But the sun still shone, just above the gloominess of heavy cloud cover.
In the storms of our lives, when everything looks dark, hope and light exist beyond the shadows. Jesus, God’s Son, waits to show us hope through His power when we reach out to Him. John 8:12 says,
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Hebrews 13:8 reminds us,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Forever He is the light of the world.
Storm clouds darken the sky sending snow, rain, wind, and threatening weather of all descriptions. The sun seems to have disappeared and we wait for its return. But it still shines above the clouds.
Trust the Sun, Trust Jesus
In our lives, tough stuff like the unknown, a health crisis, restrictions, financial struggles, or relationship issues drop into our lives and threaten us with gloominess, darkness, and despair. Just like we trust the sun still shines beyond our limited scope and vision, we can rest in the promise and hope that Jesus, the Light of the world, never changes. He is always there to shine light into the dark corners of our lives.
So while we wait out the storms, we can do what God commands in Romans 12: 12,
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulation; be constant in prayer.” There is hope beyond the storms.
Are you dealing with storm clouds? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. Carol encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs:
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
Ready for Takeoff – Trust in God
Images courtesy of:
Kittens & Puppies – ParallelVision
Above the Clouds – Free-Photos
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