From time to time, we have music playing in the house. Usually we just keep going about our day and business, but every once in a while, I will stop and listen and consider what is being said or sung. Earlier in the week, or perhaps it was last week, I stopped and listened to a song by Sara Groves entitled “Rain.” The song unfolds her paradigm for wrestling with suffering and trials. Below you’ll find a portion of the lyrics from the song, and from my perspective, they pick up the underlying theme of Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Call it what you will I call it rain
When troubles come and pat against my soul
Go in if you like, I will remain
And let the washing waters make me whole

Just when I’m sure that I can't bear the rain
A tiny leaf starts pushing through the ground
In a place where the ground was too dry to sustain it
A new tiny flower can be found

I see Him in the rain
I feel Him wash away
What I do not understand
So new life can spring up once again
And the flowers come to show that all that rain was helping me to grow

The next time you find yourself wrestling with suffering and trials, remember God’s word of promise to you in Romans 8:28. And perhaps consider that the thunderstorm of life that you’re currently experiencing will help you to grow. You have every reason to entrust yourself faithful Creator, for even in the valley of the shadow of death, he is with you.