Have you ever noticed how our world tends to concentrate on the negative? Take the daily news, for example. It’s always filled with depressing news bulletins!

I even see this among the people of the Word (God’s Holy Bible). Oh, some rejoice in sharing God’s Word with others. Simple Bible verses lift them up when they need encouragement. But the sad thing is that not everyone takes these Bible Messages from God as encouragement. Some see these attempts at comfort as accusatory. Why? Because they aren’t watching to see that God is, indeed, at work around them. Like the daily news, they emphasize the negative side of life!

It is interesting also to see that some wake up cursing the upcoming day, while others welcome the new day with open arms. But as the people of the Word, shouldn’t we always wake up rejoicing? After all, The One who made a difference in our life is with us, constantly lifting us up, even though we may be in the midst of our own heavy trials! When we see glimpses of God all around us, we can’t help but rejoice! We rejoice because we are experiencing God in some unique and personal ways. We rejoice because we are never alone, for Jesus is always with us: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20 NIV)

So how can we see God at work around us, even in the midst of heavy trials?

One important way is to spend personal time with Jesus. This always helps us see things from a different, “God” perspective! He will help us see our days as filled with opportunities to experience Him.

Another way is to watch people around you. No matter where you are, there are people of courage, who, in the face of catastrophes, reach out to the less fortunate. There are those who, though they themselves possess hardly anything, give of their meager belongings to help out others in distress. Others donate their time in hospitals, in retirement homes and in prisons to lift up and encourage those who are hurting. Remember what Jesus said? “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matt 18:5 NIV) Why do these people reach out to the less fortunate? Because they are listening to God’s inner promptings. Even though some of them may not even know their Maker, they still respond to His voice, and when I see God at work all around me through them, I can’t keep myself from rejoicing.

The fact is, we experience Jesus every time we stop thinking about ourselves and begin to focus on others. Remember: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27 NIV); and “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20 NIV)

A few weeks ago, I experienced God in a unique and unbelievable way. The weather report was competing with the daily news for negativity. They were calling for heavy rain throughout the day, and as I opened the garage door, I noticed that for once, they were correct! It was, indeed, pouring! Of course I had forgotten my raincoat and my umbrella, and naturally I was running late so there was no time to retrieve them. My first reaction was to pray this simple prayer: “Lord, keep me dry today. Thank you.”

As I drove to work in the pouring rain, I couldn’t help but wonder how my Heavenly Father would come through for me. It might have been an easier job for Him if I was just going to stay in my office, but I had promised to pay a routine visit to a local High School, so sitting behind my desk all day was not a possibility. As I parked my car in the parking lot at the office however, I noticed it had stopped raining. I quickly retrieved my briefcase and entered the building without getting wet. “Thank you Lord!” I whispered.

Some may wonder if I was just lucky; if it was going to stop raining anyway. If you are in that category, please read on!

As I sat at my desk and set up my laptop, one of my colleagues exclaimed: “What rotten weather!”

I looked up, surprised. “Didn’t it stop raining?”

“Not hardly!” Was her response. “Look outside!”

I checked my window. Sure enough, it was pouring. However, a couple of hours later, when it was time for me to leave to go visit that high school as planned, I was able to exit the building and reach my car completely dry. It had stopped raining.

It took me about half-an-hour to reach my destination. Thunder and lightning, high winds and heavy rain accompanied me the entire way. However, when I reached the high school’s parking lot, it stopped raining.

I met with the teachers over lunch time, and as I glanced out the window, I noticed that the torrential rain had once more resumed; but when I left to walk to my car, the rain was completely gone, only to return in deluge fashion as I drove back to my office. Once again, when I parked my car, the downpour completely stopped until I was safely inside.

Coincidence? Hardly! My Heavenly Father showed me that day that He loved me in a personal way.

If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, the same can be true for you. When you wake up each day anticipating that you will see God at work around you; when you adapt the attitude that you are going to watch for Him to show His love for you, and then join Him in His work; if you will take the time to notice His abundant love for you in events throughout the day, you WILL experience God! Certain Bible texts will come to your mind as a reminder that He cares for you, but best of all, you will feel His presence in you.

Remember: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.” (John 5:19-20 NIV); and “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NIV)

Instead of concentrating on depressing daily news, try to live in the presence of God today. Open your eyes to where He is at work. Experience His love for you!

Rob Chaffart