Treasures Found in Your Dark Seasons

Scripture:  Psalms 16:11 -  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.    .Isaiah 43:2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.     Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.    I Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.  

We all go through seasons/periods of darkness – whether it is:  disappointments, failures, pain, regret, emotional drama/turmoil, fear, sorrow, rejection, isolation, confusion, or feeling forsaken or alone.  There are treasures in our dark hidden places.  God is light, and He knows everything  about our circumstances, and about how we handle what we go through.  He is very aware of where we are in our walk with Him.  He knows what it will take for us to trust/depend on Him even more than we do now.  God has a purpose for everything we go through.  Our dark seasons are never a waste. As we trust the Lord while in our dark seasons, we will grow/develop in the things of the Lord, and we will see things with a new perspective.  He wants us to believe, rely, depend, cry out to Him and seek His face even more than we have been. We have to read/study and meditate on the word of God to change our thought patterns or way of thinking.  The word of God has to be in the forefront of our minds.  Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  When a photographer takes a picture, and then he starts developing it, if light shines on it too early, the picture will not turn out right.  God has to let us go through our dark seasons until we see things with a different/new perspective – until we develop/mature even more.

When we go through dark seasons in our lives, we may feel like nobody knows how we feel or can understand what we are going through.  Hebrews 4:15 says “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  Think about all that the Lord went through.  He was crucified on the cross – which is the worst/horrendous death of all. The weight of all of our sins were placed on Him.   He knows what we are going through, and He has promised that He will see/carry us through our dark seasons.  This reminds me of part of a hymn which says:  Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin.  Each victory will help you, some other to win.  Fight manfully onward.  Dark passion subdue.  Look ever to Jesus.  He will carry you through.  You just ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you.  He is willing to aid you.  He will carry you through.   Psalms 23:4 says “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  Jesus is with us, and He has promised that He will never leave leave/forsake us.  (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20)

If you are currently in a dark season in your life, I encourage you to not give up. Continue to pray and pursue the Lord and seek His face and cry out to the Lord, worship/praise the Lord and stay in His Word.  Make sure you have  regular/specific times to be alone with the Lord.  In Exodus 33, Moses set up a tent called the “tent of meeting” outside of the camp where the Israelites were, so that he could be alone with God.  God no longer dealt with the Israelites within the camp because of their involvement with idolatry.  Moses, on the other hand, wasn’t satisfied with a casual relationship/fellowship with God. Therefore, God blessed Moses with His glory/presence.  Psalms 16:11 says “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”  When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak to Moses. Now that we are in the New Covenant, all Christians have access to what Moses had!!!  Having a deeper/closer walk with the Lord is not limited to a chosen few Christians.    Unfortunately, sacred secrets/treasures while in dark seasons of our lives will not be found by all Christians – only those who diligently seek the Lord -- those who take time to pursue the Lord and draw near to Him, and also to those who are willing to turn away from their sins -- idolatry, pride, arrogance.   As we choose to spend time praying/talking to the Lord, we have to also spend a lot of time allowing the Lord to speak to us through His Word.  II Corinthians 1:4 says “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”  As the Lord comforts us while we are in our dark seasons, we will be able to comfort others who are in their dark seasons.

What’s your choice --  a deeper/intimate fellowship with the Lord or a casual one?  We have to remember that we have to be committed to the “process” of having a closer walk with the Lord.  We are equipped, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for this journey!!

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You so much for helping me to see treasures – things according to Your perspective when I have been in dark seasons of my life.  Thank You for assuring me that no matter what I go through, You have promised that You will never leave nor forsake me.  You will always carry me through and/or give me enabling grace to go on.  I am trusting in You.  I know that You love me and that You will carry me through.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)