Rainbows of Hope – God Understands Our Suffering

Life is full of problems. However, when God gave the sign of the rainbow as a promise to Noah, it also became a symbol of a God who keeps His promises, a God people can depend on when the trials of life become too difficult. God has given His people the blessing of rainbows of hope.

 

2MefromHim Devotionals

Rainbows of Hope

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17

The magnificent rainbow, arching over the nearby mountains drew me outside to immerse myself in it’s glory. Rainbows remind me of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

My husband and I once stood on top of the castle tower at Loch Ness, overwhelmed at the splendor of a rainbow ending in the water at the base of the tower. It lacked about 50 feet from forming a complete circle. Another time, I captured a photo of a rainbow arching gracefully over our mountain home.

If we are in tune with God’s Spirit, alert to His presence in every aspect of our lives, He reveals Himself in both the most glorious and darkest of times. I have struggled with chronic pain for all of my adult life. However, it was only a few years ago that I realized the revelation of Himself that God offered in the midst of my worst suffering.

Philippians 3:10 in the Amplified Version, says: “ And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]”.

It is easy to see God in those rainbow and sunset moments of His glory. It is far more difficult when pain infuses my world with hopelessness. The message of Philippians 2:10 is that Jesus Christ wants me to know Him “experientially”. If I am to comprehend “the remarkable wonders of His Person”, I must understand the suffering He experienced for me.

God gave rainbows as a promise to never again destroy the world by flood. However, they also remind me that I won’t be destroyed by circumstances God allows into my life. In the struggles of cancer, illness, pain, and heartbreak, I share in Christ’s sufferings on the cross, the depth of love of a God who would die for me.

In times of darkness and despair, I look to Jesus, and know I am not alone. He understands.

Rainbows, dark clouds, suffering, and joy reveal the amazing love of Christ, my Savior, who invites me to fellowship with Him, to understand His promises, and to live in hope of glory.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/