Stepping Stones: Darkness - Not Always Bad

Transformational Thought

Darkness is typically thought of as something negative, bad, or even evil. Nightfall, devoid of light, blackened, lost, secret, closed…blinded. The bible often uses darkness to mean “not in God’s light.”

As a child I was terribly frightened of the dark…I even carried that fear well into my adulthood.
But I have learned through personal experience that darkness is not all bad. And darkness does not have to be synonymous with the absence of God. Just maybe, when darkness comes, it signifies that we are under the shelter and in the shadow of our Lord. (Ps 91:1) Know that as children of God nothing happens to you that He has not allowed.

During times of darkness, there are actually treasures to be found (Isaiah 45:3), learning to be had and growth to be gained. When darkness comes most run from it, distracting themselves through their addictions…or simply sleeping through it.

When events don’t go our way and we feel emotionally uncomfortable, our natural reaction is to assume the situation is against us. We believe that nothing positive can come from it, even though we know from experience with school, sports or music that we have to practice to get good results. The same is true for spiritual growth as well.

Today, when you find yourself in the midst of physical and spiritual darkness, turn to your God for strength. Don’t run. Rather, look for the treasures in those secret places. While in the dark, turn to His Presence…His Word…His Spirit. And you will soon see His Lighthouse guiding you step by step. Look for how He wants to grow or strengthen you. Search for the positives in the storm.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I know Father that You are perfect in all Your ways…therefore it is impossible for You to be careless. Nothing happens to me that You have not allowed. When I experience times of darkness – times that You could have prevented – it sometimes feels as if You are being careless with me. I pray, Father, that You equip me to navigate in the darkness…and that You will teach me how to use that equipment. I pray this in the name of the One You sent who experienced the darkest of times while paying for my sins, Jesus Christ; And all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Isaiah 45:3

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1