*This is something I pulled out of the archives to post on Everyday Christian today and since it's a crazy, busy week for us I thought I'd share it with you too! Blessed day dear friends :)
When my husband travels for work my feeling of safety promptly packs its bags and goes right along with him. Nighttime thrusts me into the wanting arms of despair where I find myself acutely aware of my alone-ness and in complete fear of the darkness.
Did you know that the amount of time that passes from the moment the bottom of the sun kisses the horizon until the top of the sun bids its daytime farewell is less than 5 short minutes? It is in that time that I am awakened to the opportunities for elusively lurking evil, lingering and waiting in the hidden corners made available by the moon-lit night.I shrink in the darkness.
When the kids are tucked away in their beds, the TV is off and the lights are out I can not keep from foreboding what trouble may lie ahead in the coming hours of the night. The quiet of my room is faithfully interrupted by distant, yet eerily close sounds from unknown origins. As my eyes adjust from pitch black to subtle shades of grays I can not avoid the mysterious movement of shadows dancing randomly, yet methodically against the crevices of my bedroom windows and walls. My heart pounds loudly and painfully at my chest as if to escape me in an effort to avoid the on-coming thoughts of the source behind the dancing shadows.
I expect evil in the darkness.
My mind enters the threshold of dark spiritual and worldly possibilities and it sometimes stays there a bit too long. However, the Holy Spirit, even more faithful than the rising and setting sun, ushers my mind into a super-natural light, fueled by truth that comforts my shaken soul. It sweetly plays the song of Psalm 23:4 on my heart “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.”
I find Him in the darkness.
Conviction overtakes me as I recall the demon-possessed boy’s father in Mark 9. I am like that father, in my fear asking Jesus to have mercy on me and to help me if He can. He questions me in this desperate moment… “if I can?” He reminds me… “Anything is possible for him who believes!” And I cry out just like that father… again and again… “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”
Though dark valleys do call, at night or by passing trial,
I sense your protection, your comfort and your presence with me all the while.
Satan’s fortune is that my distress would deplete and devour me, But my anguish elicits Your being and evil claims no victory.
I trust you my Father, I beg you… increase my faith,
I do believe, you know my heart, cure me, no… save me from my unbelief!
Amen!! Beautifully written. I have experienced the same thing. But God is always with us and He will help us with our unbelief. What an awesome God!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Heidi! I do not like the dark either. If I am sleeping, it's great but while I lie awake, I do not like it. But I have had some times (I'm sure there has been more that I was not paying attention) that God has met me there in the stillness of the night. An incredible experience.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Fear often seems to creep in with the darkness. On a side note, I think that is why I like having a dog, especially when my husband is not home. My dog will bark at the slightest thing out of the norm. I know I can't put my faith in my dog...but she does help ease my mind!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love that verse, "I believe, help me overcome my unbelief." I've dealt alot with doubt and uncertainty. I finally figured out that to believe Him is a choice. I can choose to believe and walk in faith or I can choose not to believe and walk in fear and oppression. I chose the former!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written Heidi! It's funny, but I think being an insomniac for so many years has made me at home in the dark of night. I do know that in that stillness I've had some of my best conversations with God... Either way, He's always beside you in the dark, and His light can banish any shadow. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
Heidi you have such a loving spirit..It is very rare to find a woman who expresses her heart the way you do. I know that feeling you experience I at times experience that when my hubby is away. But what gets me through those moments is I ask God to bring peace over me and my entire home. Let every room be filled with His Peace..God has His angels covering your home and your family while hubby is out of town for business. We as children of God don't have to be fearful of anything because Jesus said I did not give you the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind. Let this mind that is in Christ Jesus be also in you. God bless you sis and have a great weekend and thanks for the lovely comment you left on my site today. I always enjoy when you drop by because your spirit is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteThis is the verse that I claim during those moments. Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety,”
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