There’s a hymn titled “Showers of Blessings,” and when I sing the song or think on its meaning, I visualize the blessings of God spilling down from Heaven all around, as numerable as the raindrops on a stormy day. But what about the thunder and lightning? No one wants the storm. In fact, sometimes we don’t even want the rain. We prefer our blessings on a warm and sunny day. But some of our best blessings accompany the rain, such as clean air, fresh drinking water, green grass, and blossoming flowers. And in our lives, God’s blessings often come with the rain.
The rain might be trials or challenges that force us to step out of our comfort zone and trust God.
- A wayward child
- A loss of income
- An unexpected illness
- Loss of property through an accident or theft
Then again, you might be in the midst of a horrendous storm, which ends in tragedy.
- Cancer strikes you or a loved one
- A death in the family
- A fire or tornado levels your house
- Bankruptcy
Where are the showers of blessings? Are there any blessings at all?
Sometimes, God might use some of these things to get the attention of one of His children who is living in deliberate disobedience. And God will not bless His rebellious or defiant children.
But for the believer who is earnestly trying to live a holy and righteous life, know that the blessings of God surround every trial, circumstance, challenge, and storm that you go through. Now, the situation itself isn’t a blessing. But God uses surrounding circumstances to bless his child. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
God has a purpose and a plan; one that will conform us to His image, prepare us for glory, draw us closer to Him, encourage and edify other believers through our lives. That’s why I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” God doesn’t expect us to thank Him for the bad things we go through, but for the good things that happen as a result. God wants us to look past the trials to the blessings. And if you look, you will find them because they are there.