For the hurting and grieving hearts: don’t let the darkness silence you.
Friend, what are your darkest hours, or months, or even years? I have a comforting message for you, the one that comforted me and gave me the hope and the strength to continue in the time of my most intense pain and suffering.
The Darkness of Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering often feel like thick darkness for our souls. When I experienced the sudden and traumatic loss of my husband, who was my closest person, this is how I felt: plunged into deep, cold darkness, suffocating and agonizing.
The imagery of darkness is very accurate because this is what darkness does with us physically, emotionally, and spiritually:
- Darkness paralyzes us. This is one of the first effects of darkness on human beings. It evokes fear, anxiety, and panic. It confuses us and paralyzes us. We are often in a state of shock, unable to make decisions and move forward.
- Darkness blinds us. It is very difficult, nearly impossible, to see in the darkness. Without seeing, we lose orientation, which adds to the state of chaos and confusion. Surrounded by darkness, we can’t see how to find our way out. Even more important, we struggle to see God’s presence and His hand of love amid our anguish.
- Darkness burdens us. The heavy darkness of pain and grief is often too much to bear. It overtakes large portions of our thoughts and emotions, weighing heavily on us, to the point we struggle for every breath.
Does this sound familiar to you? Here is how I moved through my darkness, carried by God’s promise.
Pain and suffering often feel like thick darkness for our souls, but the Lord is present there, too. #pain #suffering #encouragement Share on XRemember to pin me for later!
Don’t Let the Darkness Silence You
In my deepest pain, in the first days after the death of my husband, when I was consumed by the most intense pain, God gave me this amazing verse in Job 23:16-17:
“God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; Yet, I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.” (NIV)
In other versions, it says, “I am not silenced and I am not destroyed by the darkness that covers my face.”
We can glean three powerful truths from this verse that can help us face the darkness of our pain and suffering with hope and courage.
Here are three powerful truths from Job 23:16-17 that can help us face the darkness of our pain and suffering with hope and courage. #Biblestudy #encouragement #pain #grief Share on X#1 Darkness Is a Season Allowed by God
Our darkness is a season allowed by God. This means He is fully in control of this ordained season in your life. In the same chapter, Job also says that when God finishes testing him, he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10) This also gives us a glimpse of God’s workings and manifold purpose.
Let’s hold on to this truth: God is aware, He knows, He has allowed it, and even if we don’t understand, He has a good purpose and far-reaching plans. We can choose to trust His wisdom and His love.
#2 Darkness Will Not Silence You
The darkness will not silence you. This is a key point with a double implication. The first thing is to decide in your heart to draw near to God and keep communing with Him. We should resist the temptation to close our hearts and to withdraw in angry silence.
It is crucial to keep the communication open and learn to abide in the Lord in our pain. This is something we can pre-decide in advance for every challenge and trial.
The second aspect of this is that Satan’s plan to use our pain to silence us as God’s faithful witnesses and to silence our faith will fail. Because this is what the enemy wants, to take us down, destroy our faith, and silence us.
#3 Darkness Will Not Destroy You
The darkness will not destroy you. It may feel like this for a long time, but if we stay connected with God, with our source of Life and Power, our souls will not be destroyed. We will pass through the fire and the water, and come out without any permanent damage. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Prayers for When You Feel Hopeless in a Dark Place
Do you need a prayer for your hopelessness and despair? Unfortunately, nearly all of us have struggled with despair in certain life moments or seasons, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed, or in a dark place.
In this guest article for Rich Faith in Poor Health, I share glimpses of my most desperate moments and the prayers I prayed.
How God Uses the Darkness of Pain and Suffering to Bless Us
You can learn more about why and how God uses pain and hardships to shape us and bless us in my book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.”
Do you want to draw near to God when you are tempted to pull away amidst painful and traumatic experiences? Do you long for the transformation of your painful story into a story of preparation, empowerment, fruitfulness, and growth?
Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources, encouragement, and comfort when you go through pain, suffering, and shaking, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer
Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
How did the Lord work in the darkness of your pain? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!
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Thank you for the reminder that darkness will not destroy us when going through life’s terrible times. I appreciate also to not let the darkness silence us, either.
Thanks, Debbie! I am glad the post encouraged you. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing your life experiences in this post about refusing to let the darkness silence us. Isaiah 43:2 is one of my favorite verses. I always appreciate your reminders that we do not go through struggles alone.
Thanks a lot, Lisa! Yes, Isaiah 43:2 is powerful. I am so glad that you find encouragement and comfort in my posts. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing about not letting the darkness win. So encouraging!
Thanks, Crystal! I am glad it encouraged you. Blessings!
Hadassah, this entire post is really powerful! I also love how you said that “It is crucial to keep the communication open and learn to abide in the Lord in our pain. This is something we can pre-decide in advance for every challenge and trial.” You are such a trusted friend to all of us who love you. Thank you for letting God use you and your life to minister to us. I love you friend …
Aww, dear friend, your words are so touching! I am so happy my post spoke to you!! Sending love and hugs…