The Storm and the Rainbow

Written by Melissa

While we weather our storm, so to speak, Andrew and I often wonder how the storm came to be. A dear friend of Andrew's emailed him the following recently and stated that our troubles are of the third type described here:

When we look at Acts 27 it describes one of Paul’s experiences with trouble and how he responded to it. The short version is that Paul had been arrested by the Jews and brought before King Agrippa. Paul had appealed his case before Caesar. He was placed on board a ship sailing for Rome. They enjoyed fair weather during the first part of the voyage but contrary weather forced them to stop at a place called Fair Havens. They purposed to resume their journey, but God warned Paul of an approaching hurricane force storm that they would encounter causing much loss. Paul warned the crew, but the ship’s captain and the owner overrode Paul’s words of warning and they sailed out of the harbor. They soon encountered the storm which was furious in strength and which lasted for many days .God told Paul through angelic ministry for no one to leave the ship and no lives would be lost. Although no lives were lost, the ship ran aground and was broken up by the rocks and waves with the loss of the cargo.

When you are facing a storm, determine the reason for the storm. Until we first determine the reason for our trouble, we cannot successfully deal with it. Until we know the reason for it, we cannot respond to it appropriately. If we don’t respond appropriately to it - the trouble will defeat us. God does not want the trouble to defeat us, but to develop us. If we have difficulty identifying the reason for the trouble we are facing, take it to the Lord. Seek His insight and ask for His input into the matter.

There are three types of storms that come into our lives.
Storms that we bring on ourselves.
Storms that are caused by others.
Storms that are allowed by God.

We need to ask ourselves in times of difficulty, which kind of storm (trouble) is this we are encountering. Is this trouble of my own making? Be honest when examining the trouble. Most of our troubles usually start with us because many of them are home made. Troubles that we bring on ourselves are usually the hardest to bear because we know that our own ignorance, or willfulness or stubbornness has caused it. Troubles that others cause is the hardest to handle because others initiate it. Troubles that God allows are the hardest to understand because we don’t understand God’s purpose in it for us at the time.

Maybe God did allow for this storm to come into our lives... and it certainly seems impossible to understand God's purpose at this time. But we live each day knowing there is some purpose. And even if we don't know what that is just yet, we are at peace knowing that whether or not God allowed for the storm, He surely sent the rainbow in the form of Jim, Heather, and Ariana. So we know He does not want the storm to defeat us, but to develop us.

We are grateful for our supportive friends and family that continue to see us through this storm and remind us that they are here for us always. We love you all. You, too, are a part of the rainbow.