Are You Using the Right Umbrella for Protection?

The word “umbrella” comes from the Latin root word, “umbra,” which means to shade or shadow.

Ancient umbrellas were originally used to shade and protect you from the sun. From what I understand, the Chinese were the first to get creative and coat their paper parasols with lacquer and wax to make them waterproof.

Whatever the facts may be, I am THANKFUL for the simple invention of an umbrella every time it rains! My umbrella has protected me from getting soaked on numerous occasions. 

Unfortunately, my umbrella has also failed me a few times…

On a couple of occasions, I left my umbrella at home even though I could plainly see it was cloudy outside.  What was I thinking?  The results were that I had to face the rain without the luxury of shelter from my umbrella. Cold. Wet. And miserable.

There were also a couple of times when the wind came along and pulled my umbrella completely the opposite direction.  It served me no good that way.  Frankly, I was mad at my umbrella — but the wind was the real culprit.   (Looking back, it was a hilarious scene that would fit perfectly into a comedy movie.)

Another time I took off with my nifty, little black umbrella that I had bought at a thrift store.  I loved this antique umbrella because of its sleek, small size and quality material.  Unfortunately, sometime during the summer months, a moth thought it was quite fabulous as well.  Out in the rain I dashed, only to discover my protection from the rain was ruined from moth-eaten holes all over my umbrella. (This is scene number two in the comedy movie.)

It seems like today there are many Christians who fail to carry any umbrella at all.  I’m speaking of protection by reading, hearing and memorizing God’s Word.  The WORD of GOD is our solid foundation and our defense against the wiles of the Devil. (See Ephesians 6:11.)

Failed to read God’s Word today?  What were you thinking!  You’re heading out into a potential storm without any protection!

Other Christians are barely hanging onto their umbrellas.  They’re being pulled away by the world.  They may read their Bible here and there…but they’re swept away by the cares of this world.  (See Matthew 13:22.)  They need stronger, stable umbrellas to resist the wind  — our spirit grows stronger when we feed the spirit way more than we feed the flesh.

Sadly, some Christians are carrying around umbrellas with holes. They’re putting their trust in a faulty umbrella that will fail them when the rain and storms come. They put their trust in their bank accounts, their talents, their pretty houses, their friends, their travel adventures, etc. Yes, perhaps they’re hoping their busy schedule will help them completely miss the rain and the storms altogether.

Our faith and confidence has to be completely placed into the hands of the Lord.  Don’t forget our faith grows by reading and hearing of the Word of God. (See Romans 10:17.)

Without our good umbrella of faith, we will be cold, wet and miserable when the storms come.

One of my favorite Bible verses to remind me of WHOM I can depend upon for my protection is the following verse…

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.  Proverbs 21:31

Notice it’s NOT the fastest horse or the strongest horse that will help us.  It’s the LORD!

We have many problems in this life… many afflictions, but WHO are you trusting in to help deliver you?

Did you know that some people are completely carrying the WRONG umbrella? 

The Bible says in John 14:6,

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Your pastor cannot get you an entrance to Heaven, nor Mary, nor any priest — nor can ANY works that you might try to do. (See Ephesians 2:8,9.)

If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, then you are actually running through the storms of life without ANY umbrella at all.  Please accept your FREE GIFT of Salvation from Jesus today. (Visit this link for more information: Delight thyself.com/free-gift.html)

Remember this verse for encouragement today…

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.  Psalms 34:19

Let God be your sole umbrella of protection today! He’s capable of delivering you from ALL conflicts and obstacles that come your way.

Keep walking in Faith,

By Rhonda White

(Updated June 2, 2021, Originallly posted January 20, 2016)