Dark Seasons

We all walk through times when we don’t understand what’s happening, why its happening. We feel overwhelmed, we just want to quit, all seems lost and we feel helpless.

Sometimes we have troubles in our relationship, our finances, maybe its grief for our children, lost jobs, ill health and maybe even a death.  Through all these times, as dark as they may be, we can trust that God is with us. 

In 1 Col Peter says: He has rescued us from the domain of Darkness (sin)

We has believers no longer walk IN darkness but we will all go through times of difficulty, hardship and pain in our lives, sometimes this is short-lived, other times it will be prolonged why? We don’t understand and we pray and pray for God to take it away.

Trust in the Lord that he has a plan for each of us, during these times Trust in Him and know that this is a time of preparation for what he has planned for us. You may say: I am not anyone important, I do not do anything spectacular, I just work and come home each day, I stay at home and take care of my family, I am older and really do not contribute much except at home,  how can God Use me?

Remember that you do not know who is watching your life. Do not underestimate the power of God in a single life and another’s.   Maybe it’s a friendly hello, a prayer, a handshake, a hug; a word or phrase that you may say or do that may have an impact on another who may be going through a dark moment and you may be the one God uses to encourage them.

During these times God is working on a purpose in your life.  If we respond with anger, bitterness, fear, hostility and fight God… He may just keep us there, until we learn.  But if we surrender our will to the Lord.. “I don’t like this Lord, I don’t know what you are trying to do, but I yield to you and whatever it is you are trying to teach me Lord, help me.” 

Think of a Sheppard in a field and the sheep dogs that nip at the sheep to get them to change direction to go the direction the Sheppard needs them to go; the little sheep dogs keep nipping and nipping. The Lord in our Sheppard, when he is trying to direct our path, prepare us for something, we may experience some ‘nipping’ (our troubles to get us back on track or to prepare us)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Most recently, I had been blessed with meeting (through email) this wonderful young lady that happened across this blog, she was having some hard times.  Through what I had experienced I was able to support and encourage her to carry on and to trust in the Lord during these times.  We talked, we prayed, we read Gods word.  In a short time, she has a new outlook and is ‘getting off that couch’ seeking help with her depression, although she says her daily readings and prayer has helped her in so many ways, she spoke with family, that she thought would shun her yet they have returned love and support. 

What an amazing God we have to work in this life and in all of us.  

When the times of trouble have passed, we are thankful and if we look we can see how God worked it all out with us.  God uses these times for many purposes; cleansing, character building, preparation for something God wants you to do. 

Do not underestimate the effect your life may have on another,  weather it is a word, a statement, a thought, a prayer, a simple hand shake, a hug  to someone you work with, family, neighbors, someone that maybe new in the area, or does not have many friends that desperately need encouragement, assurance, a touch from God. 
You and I become the avenue that God sends those words of encouragement

And Jesus said:

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light.  What you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the roof tops.

Many Blessings to you today and always,