With the onset of turning our clocks back and evenings becoming very long and very dark very early, I am inspired to share some thoughts on darkness Holy Spirit showed me nine years ago, October 2008. This will be my first-ever series on the blog. Today? Part one.
Dark Places
He has set me in dark places. Lamentations 3.6a
I listened to a CD message by Joyce Meyer called “Treasures of Darkness,” it had quite an impact on me.
How many times do we find ourselves in darkness of soul? I know I have, several times in the past seven or eight years and I’d venture to say, you have too.
The Word has a lot to say about dark places – more than you might think. I find it interesting in Lamentations 3.6, it clearly says, HE HAS set me in dark places. If God allows these dark places in our lives, He must have a pretty good reason.
Today, if YOU find yourself in a dark place? It is my desire that you will turn to the One who is Light and place your trust and hope in Him…
Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? Psalm 88.12a
During my time in dark places, I would ask God to show me signs that He was still on the throne and working on behalf of my prayers. There were days so foreboding for me that is was (literally) impossible for me to put one foot in front of the other. Just when I thought God had abandoned me and my family, He would show me a “wonder.” Once again my hope would be restored. It was those little wonders that kept me going forward.
Mind you, there were many steps backward, but in my heart of hearts I knew that I knew God would see me through the dark places. In His time, at His pace, and at His appointed time, His Light would prevail.
Next week…part 2, Pray in the Darkness.
This week I’ll be linking up with:
- Inspire Me Monday
- Glimpses of His Beauty
- God Sized Dreams
- Jennifer Dukes Lee
- Tea and Word
- Seeking God
- Porch Stories
- Coffee for Your Heart
- Tune In Tuesday
- Heart Encouragement
- Dance With Jesus
- Fresh Market Friday
- Thought Provoking Friday
- Counting My Blessings
November Giveaway! Comment on every post in the Dark:Thirty Series and be entered as many times to be included in the drawing for this sweet Sterling Silver necklace. Designed by yours truly and made locally by jewelry-maker Melissa Cox.
Been there
Haven’t we both? And walked through others times of darkness with them.
I needed this reminder so much today! I’ve felt those dark places and I am praying (sometimes desperately) for God to show me He is there with me when I can’t see. Thank you 🙂
Becky, we all have those places – it’s what we do while there that matters! xo
The pit…know the darkness all too well. The learning curve sent me chasing The Light!
XO
Tammy
And, you fervently chase!
I was the grime of that dark pit slowly decaying piece by piece, by piece. I remember just about everything during that stay. Pretty. It. Was. Definitely. Not!! The Lord gracefully gives me glimpses of it. I believe so I may NEVER return to that pit that was under the pit that held it in place. Dark. Seriously dark.
Oh Jesus! Thank you will never be enough….
The grime? Hardly – loving you was easy through that time – I just held my breath and LET GOD. xoxoxoxo
I’ve never noticed that passage in Lamentations before, Susan! But just like seeds need the darkness of the soil, where they do the work of growing and putting down roots, we, too need periods of darkness so that we can put down roots.
It’s a good one, isn’t it? Anita – you have been there done that. We are soul sisters.
God allows me to be in the dark places, but He protects and works, even though I can’t see what He’s doing.
Absolute TRUTH!
It really is hard in those dark places. I find myself having to feel around for God because I can’t see Him. Great series start!
As though being blind-folded? Thank you!
So timely with darkness closing in so early now — and it does affect the way we feel.
I didn’t realize that jewelry design was also on your list of talents.
Michele, I do have a few light bulb moments now and then!!! Are you wearing your YES, LORD?
Oh how I hate this dark at 5.30, and it seems like our world is cover in darkness. I was praying this morning, for Hope and to lift this darkness. Thank you Susi, for this blog. I know that that our Lord is showing us to keep trusting , and hanging on, and that he is giving us time to rest thu this time change. Love ya honey
Yet, I still grumble and grown!!!
Yes! You know moms with kids HATE daylight savings craziness! I’m excited about this series!!! Can’t wait to read more!
I hear ya, Bethany!
How intriging! I’ve never heard a message on the dark places in this regard before. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you’ll come back and read more!!!
Hi Susan … through the darkest season, God kept the words from Joel 2 in front of me … that He would restore the years the locusts had eaten and that I would praise Him.
He’s been oh so faithful to His Word. And I am so very grateful.
That verse in Joel? I LOVE IT. It is the verse used in recovery!
Grateful for the treasures He brings out of the darkness! Blessings!
Oh for the treasures!
Oh friend… you know I have walked (am walking) in a bit of Dark Places myself! This is so good! (Hard –but Holy and good!)
Hard, Holy, and Good. Yup – that describes it well!!!!!
Love the verse from Psalm 88! Too often we think that God’s blessings only come in the daylight, but oh so many things I have learned in the dark! Appreciate your post!
Karen…oh my goodness it’s true.
So thankful He never leaves us, even when He seems silent! And, yes, the treasures from the darkness! Love this series!!
There are treasures to be found!
I do not like the dark places but I have found that during those times I am closest to HIM- when I finally have to admit that i have no answers.
Isn’t that the truth Melonie? Good to see you!
Been there also….many times. I can hear the quiet of the night when others are sleeping like babies and I sit and ask God to help me calm the nerves that stir inside. He comes thru, not necessarily in MY time, but HIS. It is in “HIS” hands even though we keep trying to “fix” it ourselves. “Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not.” Ps 71:9
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GREAT VERSE, Merry. xo
Love this concept! Treasures in the dark. So thankful that God is with us always, and that He makes good even in these places.
Yes, this month we are going to dig up those treasures!
The light shines in the darkness..
And the darkness does not overcome it.
AMEN.
What? Why have I never seen this scripture before? It is so good to know that God is with us even in those dark places. That he never leaves us or forsakes us.
Never Ever.
Oh yes, I know what you mean here. So many times feeling abandoned (my mind warring with the truth that I am not), and seeing God yet again swoop in and save the actual day.
He cares for us, and I am in awe he goes out of his way to step into those dark places to show us this.
Yay – series! Sounds wonderful too!
SHORT series. You know me, a woman of few words!!! xo
Thank you for bringing light on a personal and deep topic. And can I enter twice? jk. Looking forward to the series (and I like brief posts like this! – easier to assimilate -)#oldbrain
Yes, every comment gets an entry. Isn’t a tee enough? LOL
Susan, love the idea of this series. It feels like we all live in dark times, for sure.
I loved your line: “If God allows these dark places in our lives, He must have a pretty good reason.” The heart of really trusting in Christ is trusting He knows what He is doing when He allows hard things to touch us. It is those times I especially reach for my benchmark scripture, Romans 8:28. In the end, all will be good.
What an awesome “benchmark.” Hold on to it!
I love that God is so faithful to bring us through our dark times. His light shines to guide us through. He restores us and refines us there. Thanks for this great series.
Thank YOU for reading, Mary!
Susan, we need reminders that God is with us in the dark. This is a great series!
Blessings!
Gayl, we surely do. Oft times I am writing what I need to hear!!!
I’m going through a dark time right now, Susan, so your series on the subject is bringing me comfort!
In the darkness is when he teaches me the most and I draw closer to him.
Pray for changes for Nathan
YES!