Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Have you ever begun feeling depressed after the clocks change in the fall and it seems to get dark too early? How about the skies beginning to look darker and grayer even throughout the day? Maybe you notice more that when you get home late afternoon and the sun is already disappearing?
In many parts of our world the phrase winter is coming can conjure up many anxieties and other negative feelings. Even though it is a scientific fact that there will be less daylight, it does nothing to set our minds at ease. Our subconscious seems to focus on there being more gray than blue in the sky and the night descending quicker.
On a warm summer night we still want to frolic and play, but the cold winter evenings push us inside quicker to keep warm. The night even feels darker when there are fewer stars in the sky and staying inside can soon feel claustrophobic. As all these feelings begin to mix together, we can begin to let the darkness engulf us.
We can spend too much time mentally walking around in the dark even on summer days, but the combination of the cold and shorter days can deepen those feelings. Without realizing it, the walls of the hole we are in rise higher or begin to close off above us until it’s like hope is slipping and we can lose our way.
Banging around in the dark can be very unsettling and the longer we go, the more lost we can become. Whether we are literally or figuratively in the dark does not really matter. We need to find our way out or at least a way to navigate through.
My family always kids around with me that I am part cat and can see in the dark. Most times it is not true, because as a child I figured out that sometimes I could see shapes or knew where I was and what was in front of me. This gave the illusion that I could see.
However, this is not always true, because if the lights go out suddenly I am like most people and can feel a sense of panic at first. It is not until I pause to get my emotions under control so I can search my memories for what I last saw and get my bearings.
In life when I feel like I am in darkness I also reach out to the Lord. I cannot always trust what I think I last saw or I have not become lost, but I know the Lord is always there to comfort and guide me. And I can ask multiple times a day, every day. There are no subscription fees where you only get so many chances or pushes of the button.
No matter the time of year, when we are down, depressed, and surrounded by shadows, we have to do two things. The first is that we have to find our way through the darkness and the second is finding something to look forward to. We can find the answer to both in the Lord. In John 1:5 we find part of the way Jesus in is described, “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
We find more in Micah 7:8, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” The enemy is anything we are feeling or going through and with the Lord we can find the strength to rise up and a light so we can see. All we have to do is ask for both.
This can be like asking a friend for a flashlight or directions, only it is a more sincere conversation. Tell the Lord what’s going on and ask for the guidance you seek. His answers can be the light that you are looking for to find your way out of the place you feel stuck in. We just have to take the time to hear what He is saying and not argue about where the light leads us.
For the second part check out Isaiah 58:8, “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”
His light breaks like the morning and the Lord has our back. If we tie this in to the opening scripture we can have these blessings every morning. Not just one day, but every day. That something to look forward to. As we turn to the new year this is the mindset, we need to make the changes to our lives we need.
No matter if we are a strong Christian, one that follow on their terms, or have never been one, we all can use some refreshing. I know that I sometimes feel it too. Recently I had a little help because my church hosted a refresh and worship night. We sang worship songs and prayed for ourselves and others to be renewed in His Spirit.
We all can do this every morning or any time throughout the day just as in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” This does not specify morning or even just during the daylight hours. It means that no matter the time we can rejoice and be glad for another day the Lord has given us.
So as the new year begins, join me in fighting off any darkness we find creeping into our lives. Ask the Lord to renew your Spirit so you are prepared for everything the Lord has to offer you. Then glorify and thank Him for all the blessing you have in your life. I pray that you all find the brand new day that you are looking forward to.
WITH JESUS COMES A BRAND NEW DAY
Daylight begins to fade sooner, we know that winter is approaching,
There are more and more gray skies, on the sunlight it is encroaching.
With the daylight waning too early bringing a darkness over my soul,
Dark shadows soon descend like falling slowly in a deep dark hole.
The mood begins to feel so depressing with the disappearing light,
Especially when we realize nothing can stop the coming of night.
When we cannot see or find our way it is too easy to get lost,
We can feel like hope is slipping, not knowing if there’s a cost.
With just a pause and a brief prayer that hope can be restored,
Whenever cloaked in darkness it’s the Father we move toward.
He is always there beside us and His protection will never cease,
Our minds will be at ease and in our hearts there will be peace.
We should not fear the darkness with the Lord so close at hand,
He is the lamp that lights our way and against nothing can stand.
The days will begin to get longer and the new year will arrive,
With Jesus Comes A Brand New Day and with Him we will thrive.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 