We sometimes forget that life’s most beautiful moments are usually preceded by difficult ones

2 min read

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Romans 8:28, NLT

There is nothing like the sight of a rainbow to put you in a state of awe. I witnessed one recently and, as always, the experience prompted me to think of God and the hope that I have in Jesus.

Ever since God declared the rainbow as a sign of his covenant with Noah, it has been one of nature’s most exquisite sights. The display of perfect symmetry and vibrant color in the sky will arrest the attention of anyone whose eyes are open.

But part of what makes the rainbow so riveting is the knowledge that it won’t last long. It is a breathtaking experience, but also a fleeting one. As much as we would like to frame the rainbow permanently, it fades almost as fast as it appears.

The Root Word of Rainbow

For all the mystery of the rainbow, one thing is certain: you can have no rainbow unless you have rain. That is, to experience the inspiring and aesthetic beauty of the rainbow, you must first experience the ugh imposed by clouds and rain and the inconvenience of getting wet.

This natural phenomenon caused by a mixture of sun and moisture reminds us of an important spiritual truth as well: God is able to bring something good and lovely even out of our most disappointing circumstances. This is important, because as we evaluate our lives, it often feels as though we are being pelted by relentless rain.

Our hope in these moments is that the trials and tribulations that evoke sadness, fear, or confusion in us God promises to use for good. He assures us that all of these things, no matter how awful or seemingly unbearable, will somehow contribute to his ultimate plan for us.

God is able to bring something good and lovely even out of our most disappointing circumstances.

In fact, adversity is the raw material that God uses to facilitate our transformation. It is the rain of our rainbows.

You may be facing something so upsetting that it is hard to see how anything good could ever come from it. If so, just remember, the rainbow shows up later, after the rain.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.