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Rain and raised eyes

Rain, rain, go away. Don’t come back for another day, or week; by the way, given the forecast, at least a couple more weeks would be great.
Linda Wegner

Rain, rain, go away. Don’t come back for another day, or week; by the way, given the forecast, at least a couple more weeks would be great. Even as I sit in my office typing this article, I continue to stare out at leaden grey skies and bouncing rain on the porch, while staring towards well-hidden islands off our coastline. Add to my discomfort, the power of near gale-force winds that have shut down our ferries, so don’t wonder why I’m sipping hot tea while wrapped up in a blanket. Poor me.

Feeling sorry for myself or, more generally, for oneself, is a sure road to discouragement. Leaving the subject of weather, there are so many things in life that have the power to take our eyes off what is good, positive and more importantly, the Lord. Our mood darkens and our emotions sink. If there ever is a time when we need to raise our eyes, it’s during challenging conditions.

(I fully realize and offer empathy to those who suffer from mental illness or depression; indeed, my heart goes out to you and please be assured this article isn’t meant to offer a “quick and easy solution” to those conditions. I’m simply talking about the matter of feeling sorry for oneself when things don’t go as we’d choose.)

While going through cancer treatments years ago, my brother sent me a mug with this inscribed on it: “When things go wrong as they sometimes will. When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill. When the funds are low and the debts are high and you want to smile but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you want but don’t you quit.”

Lift your eyes … “Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 1:7)