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What does it mean to “dance in the rain”? The bottom line is, it means to have a grateful and thankful heart, no matter what your circumstances. The Bible says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And again it tells us to “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). We are to give thanks in our storms and for our storms. That is what it means to dance in the rain.
You may be thinking, Do you really expect me to thank God for being laid off, or getting a bad report from my doctor, or losing someone close to me, or watching my grown child stray far from God? Well, I recognize that seems difficult if not impossible, but those are not my instructions or my idea. It is the inspired Word of God to us—to give thanks in and for everything.
Frankly, I think it often just comes down to simple obedience—doing what God says to do even though you don’t want to, even when your heart is not in it. Maybe that’s what it means to give a “sacrifice of praise,” to thank and praise God when it just doesn’t make sense! I know God will honor that obedience.
James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
That storm you’re going through, whether from God or simply used by God, is for a purpose—to supply something lacking in your life.
- Is faith lacking in your life? A storm will grow your faith faster than anything else.
- Is joy lacking in your life? The joy of the Lord becomes your strength in a storm.
- Is humility lacking in your life? A storm will blow away that pride that is in your heart, put you on your knees and teach you true humility.
- Could it be that maturity is lacking? A storm will grow you up fast, and you’ll lose those childish ways, that immature attitude which has held you in its grips far too long.
- What is lacking in your life? Courage? A storm will give you a backbone and untie your tongue so that you are not ashamed of the gospel.
All things still work together for good for those who love the Lord, so that’s why we can dance in the rain!