How many times have you been in darkness without a plan to make it through it? Maybe you’ve faced challenges financially, with relationships or in health. In this situation, I was literally in the dark. But I realized that trusting God in the dark is very much like getting ready in the dark. You can’t see Him but you have to believe anyway.
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You know how you know that something isn’t quite right, but it takes a moment or two to register what is wrong?
That’s what it was like one morning as I woke up aware it was morning but unable to see my surroundings. As I padded my way to the bathroom, I absentmindedly flipped the switch then flipped it again, and again. Then the one next to it, and the one next to that. Nothing.
The power was out.
That would prove to make for an interesting morning, getting ready for work in the dark. Would patients notice my eye makeup gone askew? Or my hair left to dry any which way? Or the shoes that more (or less) matched the outfit? Or my lack of accompanying jewelry?
In the end, none of it really mattered.
As long as God wakes me each day with breath, Hope Prevails, and I can trust Him for the next breath and the next thing He calls me to. Everything else is bonus. The make-up, the matching clothes, the accessories are the nonessentials… just the extras.
God was with me in the dark
What really mattered was that He was with me the entire time and He had a plan to navigate me through the darkness.
How many times have you been in the darkness and couldn’t see how you would get through it? A financial devastation? A broken relationship? A career challenge? A health crisis?
Although I was in darkness, I didn’t need to be afraid. He was there guiding me, watching over me, keeping me safe, allowing me to do the very thing He called me to do.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
God guides us through dark places
Lately, the Lord has had me digging deeper into what it means to trust Him, to wholeheartedly surrender my heart to Him and trust Him. Trusting God is very much like getting ready in the dark. Things may not turn out like we expected they would, but life will go on, and it will be ok, and He will be with us the entire time.
When we don’t know what to do, He will show us. He guides us through His word and He guides us in prayer.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT).
We can trust Him on the sunny days and on the dark days. We can trust Him to never leave us or forsake us, and to guide us in the way we should go. As long as we have breath, we can trust that because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Is there an area of your life that seems dark today? Will you trust Him with it?
Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.
There is hope.
Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.
Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.
Michelle, this is the best post I’ve read today thus far! Incredible message!
“As long as He wakes me each day with breath, Hope Prevails, and I can trust Him for the next breath and the next thing He calls me to.” <— Such a powerful and beautiful truth!
Thanks so much for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
I am older now and I do not navigate well in the dark. I can’t see well when I first get into the dark and then slowly what little light there is gives me vision. I love this message. I love knowing that even in the dark when I physically can’t see, I know the Lord will guide me to the light and the light is there because Jesus is the light. You always share messages that are so practical and real. I am so thankful for your encouragement, love and compassion. It pours through your life. Thank you Michelle! I am praying for you too!!
Karen, I’m so glad this encouraged you. It’s hardest to trust when we can’t see. But if we could see, it wouldn’t require trust, would it?
I am certain this post will resonate with many. It is indeed a dark time for many people right now. A lot of unknowns, It just makes us hold onto God wholly, knowing the things that are not seen by us are seen by God. He knows our future, He knows what path we should take. It makes sense that we trust the one who holds all things together.
We don’t have to see God to know He’s there! I’ve definitely felt Him in my dark times. Thanks for sharing this! I’m visiting from the Friendship Friday link up today. Have a great weekend!
Michelle, I do well in the dark becuase I have to trust God completly. I struggle when there is just enough light to think I can do it on my own. Now, I don’t want to go back to the dark however, I miss that intimacy with God and Him directly every single move I make. Time to pull into God before I find myself in the dark. Thank you for your words and sharing with us at Grace & Truth. Maree
This really spoke to me after having a very dark day yesterday. Some days are so quiet, too quiet. I didn’t hear from my adult daughters, friends or anyone and I didn’t feel like reaching out. If my faith isn’t strong enough on those days, is it strong enough when something major happens? I’ll be digging into Gods word and praying more. Thank you!