Searching for Sun Breaks

When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, we spent months without being able to see the sunlight. In fact, I lived in my home for six months before I ever had a chance to see the stunning snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier because the weather was always Gray and cloudy. The local news reported a weather phenomenon that I'd never heard of before... they declared when there would be “sun breaks” during the day. These fleeting bright spots in an otherwise dreary day became moments to hope for. These sun breaks taught me how to look for bright patches on a dreary day.

Life has an uncanny knack for throwing daunting challenges your way when you least expect them. Whether you’re struggling with a stressful job, a bad relationship, or overwhelming health concerns, it’s easy to only see the dark clouds overhead. These dark clouds can pour heavy rain on your parade, but one of your most transformative skills is the ability to look for glimpses of sun breaks beyond the dark clouds.

Hope is the only antipode to despair. In this article, I want to show you how to look beyond your immediate problems and hope for blue skies even in the middle of a driving rainstorm.

First and foremost, embrace the truth that challenges are an essential and beautiful part of the human journey. Like the clouds, they come and go, and although they may sometimes seem overwhelming, understanding that they are temporary can transform your outlook.

My family quickly learned not to go out in even the best weather without some rain gear close by. Getting prepared for the rain helps us when the dark clouds arrive. In these moments of discomfort, you have an opportunity for growth; you have a chance to rise and reshape your life.

In Matthew 6:28, Jesus used flowers as an analogy. This illustration brilliantly reminds us that flowers don’t worry about dark skies. They require both rain and sunlight to thrive, and they don’t stress over gloomy weather because it is simply part of the world we live in.

When confronted with a problem, it becomes crucial to redirect your focus from despair to possibility. Instead of allowing negativity to overwhelm you, take a moment to step back and examine the situation with fresh eyes. Ask yourself: What lessons can I draw from this? What opportunities for growth could emerge from this struggle?

This shift in focus doesn’t mean dismissing your emotions or belittling your challenges; instead, it challenges you to see that there is more life beyond that immediate struggle. In this reimagined view, you may discover sun breaks rooted in resilience or strengths you never knew you possessed.

One of the best ways to find sun breaks is through gratitude. In dark skies, identifying anything worthy of hope can feel nearly impossible. Yet, practicing gratitude can profoundly transform your outlook. Each day, make it a goal to recognize at least one small thing you are thankful for, like a cherished friend, a moment of joy, or the beauty of the lilies of the field.

Don’t underestimate the power of relationships in springing back after the rain. Share your burdens with trusted friends or family members. You may find that others who have faced similar struggles can help you look for the sun breaks. Even people who haven’t experienced your problems might be able to provide fresh insights that help you reframe your problems.

Remember, sometimes it takes an outside set of eyes to help you see the sun break on the distant horizon. Don’t hesitate to lean on a few trusted people; they can offer support and the encouragement you need to see beyond your current problems.

Jesus used the simplest illustration to teach people how to let go of their current problems. Flowers are completely incapable of taking care of themselves. They rely entirely on God for both the rain and the sunlight. If you’re under some dark clouds right now, there’s a simple lesson that the flowers can teach you about placing your problems in God’s hands.

Finding hope by looking beyond your immediate problems is not a quick fix; it’s a journey that requires time, patience, and consistent effort. But if you want to glow like a field of lilies, you must learn to leave your problems in God’s hands. When you’ve learned to trust him, you can even get to the point that you can thank him for the rain.

The bright, sunny skies are even more beautiful when you’ve been living under dark clouds. Even the darkest days are more bearable when you’ve learned to look for the sun breaks in the middle of the darkest days.