The 5 Parables of Rain

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of quotes and imagery surrounding rain? I was thinking about some of them today and how they apply to my life. They offer many positive messages to ponder.What can we learn from the rainy days or extended storms in our life?

#1. WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

Have you noticed that when things seem to be as bad as they can get, it often rains even harder?! The story of Job in the Bible certainly comes to mind as an extreme example. I believe there is a reason for everything that happens, but sometimes it seems hard to see through the storm, and it can really feel like we’re drowning!

“With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith.” – Neil L. Andersen

#2. The Rains Come Down and Floods Come Up

Will Your House Wash Away or Stand Firm?

[See Matthew 7:24-27]

The gospel of Jesus Christ does not promise that we will be free from tribulation. But it does strengthen our spirit so that we can accept adversity and face it when it comes. The house founded upon a rock does not fall with strong winds or torrential rain.

“Remember, … it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” – Helaman 5:12

#3. Into Every Life A Little Rain Must Fall

The rain, the floods, and the winds beat not only upon the house which had been built upon the sand, but also upon the other house, which had been built upon the rock. Both the person who serves the Lord as well as the one who disdains Him live in a world ruled by the same laws of nature. Physical suffering is not evidence of wickedness, nor is it punishment for sin.

“No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character. He is an unchangeable being; the same yesterday, the same today, and He will be the same throughout the eternal ages to come. We have found that God. We have made Him our friend, by obeying His Gospel; and He will stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments”

– President George Q. Cannon

#4. There Wouldn’t Be Rainbows Without Rain

“I like to look for rainbows, whenever there is rain. And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again…”– Children’s Songbook

Without rain, there would be no life. It cleanses. It quenches thirst. It nourishes and strengthens. It helps living things grow and thrive. If physical rain can do this for the earth, then symbolically, do you think our “rainy days” / trials just might be doing that for us?

Consider the alternative. Without rain, the land quickly dries up, growth ceases, life withers and soon dies.

With that in mind, what a blessing rain really is!

“The soul would have no rainbow had the eye no tear

Hearts would gain no courage had the mind no fear.

Faith would not grow mighty had no doubts been sown.

Joy would fill no being, had sadness not been known.”

– Clive M. Killpack

5. Singing and Dancing In the Rain = Happiness

You can’t be sad when you’re singing and dancing in the rain! Seriously. Just ask Gene Kelly.

On our darkest days, it can be pretty hard to imagine “dancing and singing”.

Perhaps that is too much to ask.

But, it’s possible for us to each find our own unique ways to “laugh at the clouds” and embrace each tender mercy.

Three cheers for rain! Bring it on! – MoSop

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