“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. “

~God, Genesis 9:16 NIV

 

No one can deny it. We are living in unprecedented times.

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We don’t have to look far to see the hardships, negativity, disasters, pandemics, joblessness, violence, and hatred that plague this nation. So much is happening at once. It’s enough to make your head spin and, for many, that’s what is happening.

Waking up one morning, I could sense something bothering me, but couldn’t put my finger on what the trouble was. The sun’s radiant rays illuminated the dew droplets on the foliage. The temperature was in the mid-sixties with a wonderfully refreshing light wind blowing. Butterflies and bees covered my plants in their search for the nectar they desired. A near-perfect morning. Normally my heart would beat fast as I praised God for these things, but on this day it wasn’t.

I glanced at my garden. The tomatoes, zucchini, and squash were the only things left. The rest had died out. It was early September, so there should have been another month of growing. Instead of being grateful, my focus stayed on what I didn’t have rather than what I did have. That was the start of a downward spiral, yet I hadn’t realized this was happening.

My daughter, who is a mental health counselor, came home from work, and during dinner, she proceeded to tell me about her day. Her youngest client was a child of four. Four! It broke my heart that a child that young, who wasn’t even in school yet, needed therapy. It devastated my mind. I felt as though I was on a spinning ride at a carnival that wouldn’t stop. I needed to escape this craziness!

I went to the only place I had privacy: the shower. I stood under the water, wanting each droplet to wash away the day’s sadness. Perhaps even divert my mind into calm relaxation, but it didn’t. Instead, I broke down and sobbed. I prayed to God, telling Him this thing called life was getting overwhelming–the weight of it tearing me down. I can’t remember the last time I cried that hard.

After talking things out with God, I did feel better.

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

~Psalm 121:2 NIV

The rest of the day, one thing after another challenged me to be grateful despite circumstances. Friends got Covid-19. Complaints and negativity came from almost everyone l talked to. My dog got sick. The week’s bills were much more than I anticipated. Then I made the mistake of watching the late afternoon news. Shootings, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, sickness, death. All showcased in the thirty-minute program. This chaos made my heart sink deeper into sadness.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

~Matthew 7:7 NASB

Walking to my room, my daughter called for me to come outside. I hurried out and to my delight, directly over our house, was a rainbow. God’s rainbow.

When God sent a rainbow to the earth, it came with a promise. Seeing the rainbow flooded my mind with many other promises God has made to mankind. It redirected my mind back to know God’s got this. He is still in control no matter what the circumstances are.

Instantly, those burdensome worry chains broke off. I cried again, but this time it was because I knew God had heard my prayers of concern and provided a reminder of His great sovereignty.

Friend, are you also distraught with worry and concerns about these times? Please know the peace and comfort God provided for me, He will also provide for you. Anyone whose heart seeks after God will find that He will provide exactly what we need and when we need it. Why? Because God’s love for you is deeper than you could ever imagine.

Recall a rainbow sighting. Did seeing this help to focus you on God’s sovereignty and love?

Heavenly Father, You are always with me. I give you thanks that even on the bad days, You are there. I ask You to restore hope and healing to each of my friends. Help me to extend Your love to everyone in my sphere of influence.

In Your Son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: God’s Rainbow: Sandra Stein: All Rights Reserved