Doubt is like Dark Clouds and Sunny Days. (Episode 17)

 

Episode 17: Dark Clouds of Doubt and Sunny Days Ahead

Do you see gray clouds creeping into your life? You know, the ones so dark it’s hard to believe the sun is shining.

Do you like cloudy days? Do you know the average number of sunny days where you live? I looked up a few cities to see what the average was for sunny days. The numbers I found said they include partly sunny days with about 30% clouds. So, a sunny day could still include clouds.

Here are a few cities and average sunny days:

Las Vegas, Nevada-312, Reno, Nevada 252

Phoenix, Arizona-300, Flagstaff, Arizona- 266

Albuquerque, New Mexico-289, Santa Fe, New Mexico- 320

Atlanta, Georgia-217

Chicago, Illinois – 199

Detroit, Michigan-180

Manchester, New Hampshire-195

Portland, Oregon -144

I once heard a man say he loved being in Arizona because he knew activities wouldn’t be canceled due to weather as he experienced back east. I had another man say he got tired of seeing blue skies daily. I loved seeing blue skies. Later, I knew what he meant.

I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon, and Phoenix, Arizona, so I know what it means to have a lot of sunny days and not many sunny days. I discuss this in the JesusRx prescription for life workbook, chapter 4, "Prescription for Doubt." You can order it on Amazon or visit my website, evapopek.com, to find other places to purchase it.

Do you ever remember learning about clouds when you were in school? Here’s a little lesson on clouds. I got it from the Farmers Almanac. Honestly, I only remembered Cumulus. Of course, I would. Those are the fluffy white, cotton-ball clouds with flat bases and dome-shaped tops. It means fair weather is in store. I love fair weather. If all the clouds were cumulus, I got to thinking about how much of God's creation we would miss out on.

Cloud lesson: you can hear it on the JesusRx prescription for Life Podcast episode 17.

High Clouds:  Cirrus, a change is on its way.    Cirrocumulus, fair but cold. In the tropics, there is potential for a hurricane.   Cirrostratus, presence of the warm frontal system, increased cloudiness, and decreased visibility

Middle to Low Clouds:  Altocumulus, fair and pleasant.  Altostratus, prepare for continuous snow or rain. Nimbostratus, gloomy with persistent rain or snow.

Base Clouds: Stratus, fair but gloomy. Stratocumulus, fair for now, storm may be on its way.

Low Clouds with Vertical Development: Cumulus, fair weather is in store. Cumulonimbus, showers, thunder, lightning

At times, you may feel like your life is full of cloudy days. You are anxious for the sun to break through and let some sunshine and warmth in. Sometimes, you feel the warmth of God’s love, and at others, it feels like something is blocking it. You think God’s love is hidden. As fast as the weather changes in New Hampshire, it seems that’s how fast it happened.  Why? Are you starting to doubt the work that God has begun in your life that He won’t accomplish? (Philippians 1:6)

Did you forget that Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus? (Romans 8:35-39)

Is it a financial situation that creeps in, a relationship that goes bad, sickness upon you, or your loved one that causes the gray cloud over you? Do you feel like days of darkness are all around you, and all you need is some light?

I did not like all the cloudy days I experienced in Portland. Weeks would pass without any sunshine. I experienced depression while living there. There was a dark time in my life. I don’t like being in darkness. Not physically, spiritually, or mentally. I know through the depression, God spoke. I talk about it in one of the chapters in the JesusRx Prescription for Life Workbook.

I thank God his Son is always there to take my worries, cares, concerns, praise, and thankfulness to Him. No matter how dark the day is for you or me, remember Jesus' darkest day. It was on the cross, and the sins of all people were on him that day. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until 3 in the afternoon. At 3 in the afternoon, the sun stopped shining, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out in a loud voice, Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. When He said this, he breathed His last.

The Holman NKJV Study Bible notes in Luke 23:45 that the 3 hours of darkness at midday was a sign of divine judgment against sin (which Jesus became on the cross) and the sinners who unjustly executed the Son of God.  The torn veil was to show we no longer needed any other mediator to God. No priests, pope, pastor, or religious person to go to God for us when we have the mediator Jesus. The last sacrifice.

Wow, I am so thankful for those dark hours Jesus endured. Even on my darkest day, I will never suffer as Jesus did. Consider how you feel if you try to take on others' sins. It hurts. It feels heavy. I think my hands are tied, but it’s not on me. I take it on out of love and concern. I’ve been there hurting so bad over someone else’s sin. My sin is too heavy to carry, let alone add anyone else. I need to be responsible for myself, and without a doubt, I can go to Jesus with any sin that soon will become a burden If I don’t give it to Him and turn from the sin that started to bind me. He removes that sin, burdens, and darkness, bringing light to my days. Oh yes, some clouds may still hover over me, but the heavy dark that sets in my heart is lifted.  He brings light to my days.

The man who said he was tired of seeing so much blue sky had a point. We need clouds—yes, even those dark, heavy ones. They are full of rain. Do you remember what those clouds are called? Nimbostratus and  Cumolonimbus.

God sent His Son to cleanse us from the darkness we face here on earth. (See Acts 3:19-21) How about those snow clouds? They don’t produce water right away. It will produce water later. The snow melts and runs off, giving us water later in the season. That is what it is like when you study God’s Word. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11) Staying in God’s Word will accomplish what God desires to accomplish in your life. Don’t doubt it. Just keep reading His Word and praise him when the dark clouds surround you and when the sky clears.

 I have experienced snow while living in New Hampshire. Going outside and seeing the pure white snow glistening in the sun is so beautiful. That reminds me of the beauty of God's forgiveness to us. The beautiful snow could not have happened without the scary clouds. We hear David asking God for forgiveness when he sinned against God with Bathsheba (Psalm 51), and he says cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean wash me, and I will be white as snow. The dark cloud could be caused by sin in our lives, and we need to go to God and ask for forgiveness. Because of the blood of Jesus, we will be made as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18, Hebrews 9:14,22)

The dark clouds that enter our lives may not be due to anything other than “life.” Don’t doubt that God sees you, knows you, loves you, and has a plan. There are times when we are walking with God, and sadness happens. Ask God to show you what you are to learn. Don’t doubt He will grow you and conform you to be more like Jesus as you surrender to Him.

 

There will always be dark clouds somewhere. There will always be God everywhere (Psalm 138:7-12) Just as the clouds can give us a sign of what may be coming, God’s Word can do that for your life

Our dark clouds of doubt can be overcome. In the next episode, we will see how to minimize doubt and increase faith. I recently heard a preacher say faith moves God, and I don’t doubt that.

So, until next time, stay healthy and in God’s Word.