Darkness before the Dawn
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In the Bible a new day begins with evening. In the creation account in Genesis we read: “and there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
When God wants to take us into a new day (a new experience), he begins with darkness. He leads us into a period of confusion, pain and disappointment. Take, for example, Joseph. God had told him he would be ruling one day. Instead, we find him in an Egyptian prison wrongly accused. Forgotten by family and friends and even by the cupbearer whom he had helped. Where was God in all this? He was preparing Joseph for his “new day” experience. In God’s perfect plan and timing, Joseph did reign over Egypt. God’s promise was realized.
Can you relate to this process? I can. Since my teens, I’ve had a deep desire to reach others with God’s message of hope and salvation. I wanted to be a good Christian – a good testimony. Instead, God led me through a dark, confusing time when it seemed that I was losing everything I valued – even my credibility as a Christian.
Still, in the midst of it all, I had a deep knowledge that God was in it. “This suffering is measured,” I seemed to hear him saying. “It has meaning not just for you, but for others as well.”
Now looking back, I can honestly say, “It was the best thing that happened to me.” Because of this night-time experience, I can now connect to people in a more compassionate way. The pat answers are gone. In no time at all, people want to share their hearts with me. Christian and non-Christian alike. Love and empathy fills my heart for them – I want to hear what they have to say, I want to know them because I truly care.
It’s amazing, also, how people are relating to my writings. My articles have been published in many magazines worldwide and in 33 books. Moreover, I have published four books which take the message of God’s love to readers in Canada, U.S.A., Germany, Brazil, Paraguay, and other countries. (See www.helenlescheid.com)
Perhaps, you’re going through a night-time experience right now. Be encouraged. It will end and you will experience the excitement of “a new day” when your deepest longings will be realized.
Lord, I want to have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones; and when I have accomplished my daily task, I want to go to sleep in peace, knowing that you are awake.
Question: What are some examples of people who experienced periods of darkness in their lives yet through the grace of God were able to not just make it through, but excel? What can we learn from their experiences?
About the Author: Helen Grace Lescheid
