God is With Us in the Darkness

A year ago tomorrow I had major surgery.  It seemed to have gone well, and then complications set in resulting in 6 weeks in the hospital.  I almost didn't make it through those weeks!  And when I finally came home, I was so very weak.  I have spent this whole year rebuilding strength and health.  I am so grateful to be alive.  God has been merciful and good to me!

A friend recently reminded me of a passage from Floyd's book Finding Friendship With God.  It has powerful and instructive advice to us when going through hard times.  I thought I'd share it with you.

"Here are some things we should do in the darkness.  First, we should carry on with the last thing God showed us to do.  Old orders remain God's orders.  Second, we should keep in mind that other men and women of God have been through the same experience - and have not only survived it but also grown stronger through it.  Finally, we should keep in mind that God is the one who dwells in "thick darkness" (Deut. 5:22).  He is there with us in the midst of the testing.

Remember, like all God's discipline and testing, this darkness is meant for our good.  And this black canopy will not be withdrawn until it has accomplished the purpose for which it was intended.  The Bible tells us of Jacob, who "was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day" (Gen. 32:24).  That is what we, too, must do: cling to God until He leads us through the darkness, even when we seem to be holding on for dear life."

As I read through those words, they almost seem like prophetic words for what Floyd and I have walked through in recent years.  I certainly add my "amen" to what he wrote.  

"Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the sunrise from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:78,79 NASB

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:7

"Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."  Psalm 42:5

The inventor Thomas Edison once lost his laboratories in a great fire.  The next morning, walking among the ruins, he said: "There is great value in disaster.  All our mistakes are burned up.  Thank God, we can start anew."

Whatever we have lost in the trials of life, God will help us begin anew.  He will give us "a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come; 

Twas grace that brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

Amazing grace - how sweet the sound."

God's amazing grace, help, and strength is with us in the midst of whatever we are walking through.  I couldn't have made it without Him!! 

I've also recently had to face some things that were difficult for me.  All kinds of emotions rose up - nervousness, insecurity, feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, worry, even some fear.  With each emotion, I went to the Lord.  I gave Him the burden of the emotion - and I received His help by faith.....even if my feelings didn't change.  God has always been so faithful to help me, so I knew I could trust Him for these new things I was facing.  He's never failed me!

As I faced some of these things, I didn't feel strong.  I didn't think I was brave.  I certainly didn't feel I could do/accomplish/overcome the various things.  I felt weak and needy.  I knew I needed God's help.  I knew I couldn't manage on my own.

In the midst of walking through all this, I heard someone say that bravery is doing the things you're afraid to do, the things you think you can't do.  There's no courage at all if you aren't scared.  I realized that while trying to be brave and courageous, it was okay to also be nervous, insecure, fearful, etc.  The awareness of that lifted a weight from my heart - and it positioned me in a better place to receive all I need from the Lord.

I've already walked through some of the things I was worried about - and some I'm still facing.  But I've been able to get things in the right perspective to lean into the Lord and receive from His loving hand all that I need.

I've also realized that it doesn't matter how many difficult things I've faced - and there were sooo very many on our unexpected journey - there will always be new challenges, new mountains to climb!  But I'm not alone. God is right by my side. 

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"Consider it all joy....when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  James 1:2,3

I think that somewhere in my heart and mind I had hoped that the hard things would be over after Floyd passed away.  But that's not how life operates.  There will always be hard things until the day we meet Jesus.  Thankfully God is right with me.  How wonderfully good, and kind, and faithful He is.