"On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:35-41
Every rainstorm brings with it both torment and renewal.
As the precipitation falls, we retreat from being outdoors to the cover of our houses. When we cannot, we pull out umbrellas and raincoats. Picnics get cancelled. Windows get closed. Vintage cars get covered.
Yet, we know that every drop of rain holds life to the earth. Crops flourish. Plants come alive with even just a little moisture to sustain them. Excessive heat gets washed away. The air itself become refreshing.
We pray for rain and still withdraw from it when it comes.
So it is with the struggles of our lives. We retreat from emotional pain. We organize our lives to avoid conflict and difficulty. No one enjoys true struggle. Yet, we all know that it is in the trials of life—not the ease—that we become the best versions of ourselves. Difficulty develops character. The School of Hard Knocks is one of the best teachers any of us have ever had.
There is nothing deep to be found in these words. Only encouragement that as you weather the personal storms, never lose sight of the renewal and replenishment they bring. Don’t forget that torrential rain carries life itself in every pelting. You become strong, resilient, and complete not in the successes of your life but the failures and frustrations.