Darkness is not my friend.
Mole-like as I may be with having M.E, I dislike a total lack of light.
It reminds me of times as a child when I felt lost and afraid.
Speaks of covert things.
I’ve lived with a shadow side, beset by pain and shame from a past that presses to remain present.
Circumstances can constrain us like chains, even as we wrestle for release.
So how do we begin to understand receiving treasures stored in darkness from the Lord?
Perhaps we can start by seeing how darkness is as light to Him.
His transcendent brightness turns darkness into day.
In our dark nights of the soul we strain to hear God’s voice.
It’s an effort to hear from Him.
But when we eventually climb out of the pit we were in, we sense that we were never really alone.
[bctt tweet=”God accompanies us in the darkness. Breathes softly beside us.”]
His hand the one sure thing we cling to.
There is no place where God cannot be found.
Not only does He sit with us in dust and ashes, His arm reaches out to pull us free.
And those treasures? What can they be?
Scripture says:
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.” – Isaiah 45:3 (NKJV).
Our painful and challenging circumstances, dark nights of the soul, disappointment and discouragement are a training ground for learning to live in the light of God’s presence, in the hope of eternal life with Him.
They shape our souls. Make us malleable by Holy Spirit. Define and refine our character.
[bctt tweet=”Darkness is where we all begin until we are birthed into the light.”]
It’s our dwelling place in the womb and our release into welcoming arms of love.
Those riches hidden in secret places? I think they’re largely spiritual ones, manifest as fruit to others.
God will also reveal a taste of reward in this lifetime.
We receive daily grace, manna wisdom from His word and unconditional love.
Answers to prayer, unexpected gifts, friendship, encouragement coming just when we need it.
He is constantly upholding us by His goodness and grace.
In the darkest of times, circumstance and place God’s light still penetrates.
“And the Light shines on in the darkness; and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it (and is unreceptive to it).” ~ John 1:5 (Amplified)
And when you and I yearn for and lean toward the Light, we’re revealing an innate desire planted there by God.
He longs for His children to reach out to Him, especially when we’re struggling.
To know we’re called by name, called to be in relationship with Him.
We need to dig deep beneath the surface of things to mine treasure.
Discover how gifts of grace point us back to the Giver Himself.
We begin to see (with hindsight), how God’s hand has always been on our lives.
We begin to have more of an eternal perspective toward every event we encounter.
As we seek hard after Jesus, our Pearl of great price, in the midst of our mess, we discover the joy of knowing Him and the comfort of His faithfulness.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, on finding one of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it” ~ Matthew 14:45-46 (MEV)
And we find that He’s with us in life’s darkness, pulling us ever closer toward His glorious Light.
What treasures have you mined from times of darkness?
How has God revealed Himself to you in life’s dark circumstances?
Words of Joy 
As always, your encouragement is so appreciated, Joy. I love how you describe darkness as a training ground and how it makes us more pliable by the Holy Spirit. And how “He’s with us in life’s darkness, pulling us ever closer toward His glorious Light.” Blessings and hugs to you, my dear friend!
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Trudy, your seeking, hungry heart is a precious thing indeed. Reading between the lines, I sense a deep soul longing to truly know and experience these treasures mined from life’s dark and challenging circumstances for yourself. Believe me, my friend, they will come, and are probably already sprouting if you take a peek. It took time, a lot of heartache and years of wrestling with painful things before God revealed this perspective to me. And I share it here in the hopes of encouraging others on their life and faith journey. Blessings and hugs to you too! Xx
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Dear Joy … Yes, yes, darkness is as light to Him. And He is the light of the world. How we desperately need Him, in the most personal of ways as well as nations on this globe.
Gratefully, He can shed illumination in even those darkest corners. I am grateful.
Weekend blessings to you …
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Oh yes, Linda, to these words you share: “How we desperately need Him, in the most personal ways as well as nations on this globe.” In writing this I am in no way minimising the devastating darkness in the world and how it seeps into our lives with shock-horror at times. Its reverberations are everywhere. How we need the Light of the world to “shed illumination in even those darkest corners.” Amen, my friend! Thank you so much for adding your wise insights to the conversation here. I’m always greatly blessed by your visits. May you have a restful Sabbath break, dear friend. Xx
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It’s like footprints in the sand. During my darkest times I’ve trusted in His word and looking back, seen that is was then He carried me. Your words whisper peace and comfort to my my soul, friend. May God comfort and strengthen you today.
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June, I love how you describe the way you’ve seen signs of God’s presence in your life as “footprints in the sand” because that’s exactly how it seems when we look back and realise that during our darkest times we are held and carried safely through them. I’m grateful if God has used this post to speak some whispers of peace and comfort to your soul. Thank you for your sharing here and for the beautiful blessing. I definitely need the strength of the Lord each and every day! May He illumine your days with His grace and peace in the week ahead, dear friend. x
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This reminds me of our pastor’s message today dealing with excellence and how we draw strength from The Lord during trials. Like the apostle Paul! He is one of my Biblical heroes – some of his circumstances were horrific and yet he never lost sight of his purpose to spread the Gospel. Lovely post!
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Isn’t it lovely when things we read confirm words God has already spoken to us through another human messenger? Yes, we do need to learn how to draw strength from the Lord during trials, and the apostle Paul is an amazing example to us all in the practise of it. He endured so much in his ministry yet gleaned great depths of understanding through his trials which have been passed on to us. Thanks for sharing here, Carrie. It’s lovely to hear from you! Blessings of rest and peace for the week ahead.
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