Finding God's Light in Our Dark Night(s) of the Soul

How God Carries Us Through

Emerging from the Dark Night of the Soul: How God’s Presence Guided My Journey from Darkness to Faith

Life can feel incredibly heavy at times. It's the kind of weight that presses on your chest, making it hard to breathe, think, or see beyond the pain. I know that weight all too well. Growing up in a poor household with a mentally ill mother, I experienced darkness that most children shouldn't have to endure. The uncertainty of where our next meal would come from and the chaos that could erupt at any moment was overwhelming. Yet, looking back, I see God's fingerprints everywhere. He saved us from harm, from starvation, and ultimately, He just saved us—all six of us.

There were moments when it didn’t make sense. Why would God allow such suffering? Why did things seem so unfair? But as I've learned, God's ways are not our ways, and having that understanding is the foundation of true faith.

The Darkness of the Unknown

When you’re in the midst of hardship, it can feel like you’re drowning, like the waves are pulling you under, and you can’t find a hand to hold onto. I remember nights of going to bed hungry, with worry filling the empty spaces where food should have been. I remember the fear of the unknown, of what tomorrow might bring, and the overwhelming sense that we were alone in our struggle. Looking back, I realize now that we were never alone.

When the world felt like it was falling apart, God showed up. Sometimes, it was in subtle ways, a neighbor dropping off groceries without knowing our fridge was empty or a stranger helping us when we couldn’t afford gas. Other times, it was more profound, like when my family narrowly escaped situations that could have ended much worse. I didn’t see it then, but God was always working behind the scenes, carrying us when we couldn’t walk on our own.

Faith When Nothing Makes Sense

One of the most challenging lessons I had to learn is that faith doesn’t always come with clarity or immediate answers. There were countless times when I asked God, “Why is this happening? Where are You?” And instead of an answer, I was met with silence, or so I thought. But faith isn’t about always having the answers; it’s about trusting in the One who does.

We are reminded in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This verse became an anchor for me. It reminded me that I don’t have to understand everything; I just have to trust that God is working for my good, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Struggling through a difficult season? Our guided meditation, "Where Are You God?" is designed to help you find peace and comfort when life feels overwhelming.

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Calling Out to God in the Darkness

When you feel trapped in the heaviness of life, the most powerful thing you can do is call out to God. It doesn’t have to be a perfect prayer or an eloquent speech. Sometimes, it’s just a desperate whisper of, “God, help me.” that is enough.

Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

There is power in calling on His name. When you cry out to God, you’re not just sending your words into the void. You are speaking to the One who has the power to shift your circumstances, heal your heart, and bring peace in the middle of chaos.

I remember one particular night when things felt incredibly bleak. We had run out of food again, and I overheard my mother crying in the other room, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. I was young, but I closed my eyes and prayed, “God, please help us.”

The very next morning, a friend of my dad brought us a box of food out of nowhere. That was God. This is just one of the many examples of God's help in our times of trouble.

Resources to Strengthen Your Faith in Dark Times

If you’re walking through a difficult season right now, know that you’re not alone. God is with you, and there are tools and resources that can help you lean into His promises. I highly recommend these powerful Christian books to deepen your trust and find encouragement:

• "It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way" by Lysa TerKeurst – A raw and honest look at how to find hope when life doesn’t go as planned.

• "Trusting God" by Jerry Bridges – A powerful guide on trusting God even when you don’t understand His plan.

• "When God Doesn’t Fix It" by Laura Story – A journey of learning to see God’s goodness through life’s trials.

  
  

These books have personally helped me navigate difficult times and reminded me that God’s love is steadfast, even when life feels unsteady.

Faith is the Light in the Darkness

As I reflect on my own journey, I can see how God has taken every hardship and used it for good. He brought me through dark seasons so that I could be a light for others. If you’re in the middle of a storm right now, I want to encourage you: God is still working. He sees the bigger picture even when you don’t see the way out, and His grace is sufficient to carry you through.

Psalm 30:5 reminds us, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Hold on to that promise. The darkness will pass, and morning will come.

So, keep calling out to Him, keep leaning into His Word, and never stop believing that He is your rescue. Faith is your saving grace, and God never fails to show up when we need Him the most.

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