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The sky turned ominously dark. Shades of blue and purple spread across the horizon, transforming a beautiful summer day into an unexpected storm.  

Such is life in the Carolinas during the summer. Storms can either be welcomed when they squelch the heat or cursed when they ruin summer fun. I appreciated this storm and watched with curiosity as creatures big and small scurried for shelter.

To my surprise, a tiny female hummingbird perched in front of me. The rain poured, but the little bird just sat—unaffected by the fierce storm raging around her. After a few moments, she raised her beak high into the air, puffed out her chest, spread her wings and flapped them in rapid bursts, enjoying a rain-induced bath.

As I watched the little bird relishing each raindrop, a thought struck me. All the other creatures had hidden from the storm, but the little hummer saw it as an opportunity. 

We tend to view life's trials and troubles like storms. We see them brewing on the horizon and immediately run and hide, doing our best to weather the storm and praying it doesn't do lasting damage. We wish for sunny days and see storms as a hindrance.

Instead, we should view storms as the hummingbird did, seeing them as beneficial and as opportunities for cleansing and renewal. Sometimes, God sends storms to test us, train us, cleanse us, and empower us. God can even use storms of our own making—or storms that come because we live in a broken world—for our benefit. 

Storms bring power, cleansing, and rebirth if we perceive them correctly, recognize their source, and trust the One who controls them. God already knows the storm, and He already knows His plans for you. Like the hummingbird, you can appreciate the storm with joy and thanksgiving.

When was the last time you played in a rainstorm? Let God use one to cleanse and renew you.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)