The Rain of Life

I am looking out the window at the rain as it is falling.  Each little raindrop, gently dropping to the surface.  And it makes me think of the things that our Father causes to "fall" into our lives.  We all know that the rain is necessary.  We don't always like it, but we recognize that we need it and are okay with that - usually.  

We may grumble (and I sometimes do) about the gloom and want the sunshine, but we recognize that we must have the rain.  And so it is with life.  We need the trials to make us strong.  Most of the time they come as little droplets, gently falling around us.  The burnt toast first thing in the morning or not being able to find that piece of paper we're looking for.   At other times, they are more of a jolt - like getting up in the middle of the night with a crying baby, or dealing with a sarcastic remark made by someone close to us.  And then there are the storms, the driving rain that pounds down on us breaking off tree limbs and blowing things out of place, disrupting our lives and bringing major upheaval.  The hard things in life. They are different for all of us, but they do come.  For the child of God,  each trial, whether the little raindrop that falls gently or the ravaging storm that threatens destruction, comes directly from the hands of our loving Father to bring about good in our lives, benefits that would not be realized apart from the trial.  He does not send them capriciously or without purpose.  The rain cleanses and the wind carries away the things that are weak and shaky, and then the sunshine.  However long the storms last, the sun shines again, and we are better for having weathered them - if we walk through them trusting the goodness and faithfulness of our loving Father.   Thankful for the storms - and the sunshine that follows.

Thankfulness as a New Psychological Treatment?

I recently read a causal reference to gratitude as a method of therapy used to treat depression. This prompted a bit of research to see if the practice was truly being used as a counseling tool. Here is a sampling of what I found: 

Positive Psychology is a new area of psychology that focuses on the conditions that contribute to flourishing or optimal functioning."Positive Psychology is founded on the belief that people want more than an end to suffering. People want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play. We have the opportunity to create a science and a profession that not only heals psychological damage but also builds strengths to enable people to achieve the best things in life." Professor Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology.
Positive Psychology researchers have identified many everyday activities that improve well being. These include; keeping a gratitude diary, performing small acts of kindness, learning to savor enjoyable moments and varying pleasant experiences to avoid routine.

 http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/treatments/psychological.cfm

This area of psychology may be new but the concept behind it is not. God has designed us for purpose.  He has knit us together and realizes our every emotion. This writing is not meant to be a statement about depression or its treatment – but let us consider that a practice that has gained usage as a psychological counseling tool has benefit to each individual for everyday life. We are instructed throughout scripture to be thankful. 

Consider Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As we look to the Lord and at God’s directives regarding thankfulness, we see our perspective shifted so that within our struggles we can still be praising God, we can still be obedient, we can parallel Christ’s sufferings, even if only somewhat, which then allows us to draw nearer to Him than we otherwise could dream. Additionally and most importantly, cultivating that thankful spirit allows us to give God the glory and honor He is due.

As we shift from the season of Thanksgiving to the Christmas season, let us not let go of giving thanks! Especially, when it is hard. By doing so we acknowledge that He is God, that He is in control and that we believe His promises are true. With that perspective we can then in everything give thanks, that our Lord might be exalted in all heaven and on the earth!

Isaiah 12:4-5

 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.