Faith convinces us of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Sometimes I have more faith in the unseen “oh no’s” — the experiences I dread, the what-ifs that figuratively take me out at the knees.
I open my eyes wide … peer into the darkness … and see more darkness looming ahead of me. My faith, my hope, is shrouded in fear and doubt — two wearisome travel companions along life’s road.
I’ve learned it’s best to admit I’ve lost my way in the darkness. To close my eyes — all the way. No peeking. And while I’m at it, I stop listening to all the voices that tell me I might as well give up and stay lost because, hey, no one’s coming looking for me. No one’s even noticed I’m missing.
Once I’m no longer trying to find my way out of the dark, I see the light I’ve been looking for all along. The glimmer of a forgotten truth. Or I hear the whisper of affirmation, of love, directing me toward hope. Toward freedom. Toward the place I always want to be: the “wide open spaces of His grace.” (Romans 5:1-2 The Message)
In Your Words: When you’re lost in the dark, what helps you find your way again?
How do you find your way out of darkness? Click to Tweet
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Comments 27
That’s easy: Friends who speak the truth 🙂 (and shoot smoky lies back to hell)
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Agreed, Dave. Agreed.
🙂
(A little “click, click, bang!” does wonders for clearing away the darkness!)
I want into this conversation. I agree, I agree, I agree. Love my faith-talking friends.
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Kim,
You do a little “click, click bang” yourself, my friend.
Your posts are beautiful. You could/should save and compile most of these into a book (in your spare time). For me when I quit being afraid of the featureless dark, if I remember the last time I saw the light, life calms and I begin to see glimmers of light again.
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Remembering — maybe this is one of the reasons we are told to remember the ways God has worked in our lives … so we are able to walk through (and out of ) the darkness.
What an awesome quote. And what helps me find the light in the dark–definitely family and friends who are diligent about pointing me back to truth and light and hope.
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Absolutely, Melissa. When others speak truth to me — the truth I’ve forgotten — I am able to find my way again.
I think about the other senses. I listen for kind and encouraging words, which tell me I am more than the darkness around me and I play music which sings His love over me. I taste a kiss from my husband, which reminds of valorous love and sacrifice, and that he is alongside me until death us do part. I touch the Word and feel the power of 2000 years of kept promises. I can open my door and smell the fragrance of Spring and new life, of beauty and joy.
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This is a beautiful response, Jennifer. Absolutely beautiful and so, so encouraging.
When I’m slogging through darkness, my husband and my close friends point me to the light. I also seek the Light through prayer.
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And I’m thankful that during the times I can’t pray, the Spirit intercedes for me.
So agree with Dee about you compiling your posts into a book! How do I get out of the darkness? I’ve mentioned this before, but since it works, I’ll mention it again. Using the alphabet, I start praising God. A=Alpha and Omega, Almighty God, B=Beloved, C=Christ (my) D=Deliverer…
Pat, I do this when I’m trying to settle my mind and sleep for the night. 🙂 Love it.
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I’ve heard this method of prayer before, but I too often forget it! Thanks for the reminder.
Getting alone with God. In the quiet.
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Ah, the blessed peace of quiet. The comfort of being with God when things are all wrong … and knowing He will bring good out of it.
Beth, I have a tight throat at the end of this post. I loved the quote and the message. So transparent. For me, I have to stop the introspection. I journal-pray about that which is causing the darkness, and I talk with my husband and friends who know me well enough to see beyond what I see and point me to the truth.
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Isn’t it good that we are known, Jeanne — by both God who loves us and friends and family who care for us?
This is such a sweet post, Beth. Reminds me of being put in my room when I was a little girl and no one came to check on me for what seemed like hours (it was probably five minutes). Anyhow, it was scary to think no one cared. Still is when I drift back to that place in my head. This post is so encouraging.
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That’s quite a visual, Kim.
And yes, there are times when the people who should have been there for us weren’t.
But God never abandons us. Never turns his back on us. Never loses track of us … and that’s a truth I’ve learned to never doubt.
This is how I feel now, after whining, I have to put all my trust and faith in my Savior. God knows what is best. Not I.
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Holly,
Thanks for joining the conversation.
Learning God knows best is a tough lesson to learn, isn’t it? I tended to be an “I’ve got this” kind of gal.
I love, LOVE that quote, Beth, along with your gentle, wise words. On those days when darkness seems to prevail, not only does my heart envision His light, but it also feels His warmth. That reassurance in the outer dark cold that His love glows in the inner light warmth. It’s His refining, eternal flame that the enemy can’t extinguish no matter how hard he tries.
God’s truth. Seeking it. Speaking His Word and letting it soak in.
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A spiritual Word bath. I like that, Susan.
Speed is what takes me through. Outrunning darkness and time and death and age and loss.
Don’t take time to think, don’t take time to remember.
Slow down for a second, and the darkness will swallow you whole.
It’s not a good way to live, but when survival is the best outcome, it’s all I’ve got.