Difficult Places

Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult, dark places. Some kind of bad news has entered into the story of our lives and the joy we so easily felt is replaced with a heavy, almost unbearable discouragement. God are you there? It is only natural that we want to find our way out of these dark places, to claw our way to the light, to freedom, to happiness. But what if we lingered for a moment. What if we stopped to take a breath, even if it is feeling hard to breathe? What if, instead of finding our own way out, we let God show us? What if we allow ourselves to feel the pain that brought us to the dark place, to cry the bitter tears, to yell for help, to beg for healing and then wait? Wait for the light to appear at the end of the tunnel. Wait for the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, empower us, and lead us out of the darkness. 

I have been in dark places before and one thing I know for sure, these difficult places pass and joyful seasons come and, inevitably, another difficult season approaches and often darker that the one before. It seems to be the constant ebb and flow of life - deep valleys contrasted with high, spectacular mountain top moments. All part of the refining process, making our faith stronger, deepening our resolve to hold fast to God’s promises. 

I often feel as though I wanted to run through the fire that God was allowing me to walk through. Almost an attitude of “okay, I know this is part of the Christian life, but let’s get this over with - now!” Who in their right mind would ever stand in the midst of a fire and not desperately try to escape? But God is there IN THE FIRE. The Holy Spirit used the testimony of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) to confirm my thoughts on all of these things. In Daniel 3 they refuse to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's  golden image, in obedience to the One True God, and are cast into a fiery furnace. Most certainly a "dark" moment for them. They believed God could deliver them. They did not pretend to know what He would choose to do, only that He was THE True God, the only One worthy of their worship. It wasn’t until then were thrown into the fiery furnace that Jesus Himself appeared there with them. They walked about in that place with Jesus! In the dark places we can learn to fellowship with Jesus. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God..." Isaiah 43:2

I have this overwhelming sense that there is no reason to rush this season. No reason to push through the pain. I have a Heavenly Father who has promised to carry me through this life and into eternity. This bad news, this dark place, this pain, however ungodly it may feel it, it cannot destroy me. My future is secure, decided, an most assuredly filled with joy. 

This too shall pass. God is not finished with me yet, and I have faith that He is working all things for good and His glory.