Lessons in the Dark

There is a different kind of beauty during darkness.

“…but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed…”

Romans 5:3-5

***

I’m currently enjoying an eighth floor view from my hotel in the heart of downtown Nashville. I came with my hubby, who is here for special classes for work, but I’m also celebrating my 52nd birthday week. Yay me, let’s go Chapter 52!

We’ve been here since yesterday afternoon; we checked into the hotel and then hit the town to explore. I eagerly snapped a view from our window because my grand princesses always want to see new pictures on my phone. It was such a beautiful day to behold!

When evening time came and darkness enveloped the city, I took another shot and compared.

So, here I am, wide awake at 3:30a.m., writing to share with you what this view is speaking to and reminding me of. I stood at that window knowing without a shadow of a doubt that God has changed and grown me a lot since I stood in this same space last year. Praise the Lord!

There’s still beauty and hope to be found even on our darkest days, it just takes on a little different light.

I guess you could say I’ve learned quite a few lessons in the last decade of my life. I’ve been all over the place at times, having experienced a gamut of losses and the specific grief associated with each one. If you don’t know my story, I’ve walked the roads of:

1. Losing a best friend

2. Dealing with midlife/health changes

3. Sudden death of my mother

4. Job changes

5. Empty nest

6. Pains of a children taking different paths

7. Death of our firstborn

8. Death of grandparents

9. Depression and grief

10. Relationship woes

11. Financial struggle

12. Rejection and insecurity

I know all of this is negative, but don’t take it the wrong way, there have been good days, but I’m pointing out the darkest and most difficult days in this post for a reason. First, this is my testimony, and second, so we might learn to better see beauty and hope through it all.

Needless to say, through all of these chapters in my life, I’ve struggled —but also learned and changed. You see,

Sometimes we learn the best tactics for survival and the greatest, most beautiful lessons about the faithfulness of God during the darkest nights of life.

You can see from my comparison of a day and night versions of an identical view that different things catch your attention in the dark of night than the same view in daylight hours.

The truth is, there is a certain beauty found in struggle and the dark moments of life that we’ll never fully understand and appreciate until we’re required to walk through it. The truths we learn about life, God, and ourselves during these moments is priceless. The experience and maturity gained is by far more important and powerful than what we often gain by walking in the light of day. Not to mention, the testimony of making it through to victory is undeniable! Nobody can dispute your experience. These are the glimmers of light which can be found in the darkness.

God isn’t afraid of our darkest nights and so we need not be afraid either. You see, with Him in our lives, we’re never alone or in complete darkness. He uses it to strengthen us, to grow us, to transform us, and to make us soldiers who will not give up at the first sight of struggle. He uses it to give us hope - and that’s beautiful.

I’m sure you have a similar story line, we all have our own crosses to bear in this lifetime. Think about your own life, what can you look back and see now which you could’ve only learned from that darkest season of life? What testimony do you have to share because you made it through? Did you feel God strengthen you, did you feel Him draw you closer, did you leave that season with renewed hope and deeper relationship and appreciation for Who God is in your life? Have you been able to share your experiences to bring hope to yourself and others?

I challenge us all, whenever darkness descends, to find the glimmers of light that come from being a child of God, from those things we gained and lessons we learned, from experiencing the darkness with God by our side. It’s priceless!

Hope and beauty we never forget or need be ashamed of…because He works it all together for our good - and like I always say, for His glory.

Blessings on you and your day - and night.

If you know someone who might be struggling right now.m, and you think it might bring them inspiration, please feel free to share.