There’s something about the twenties that causes some of us to experience a dark night of the soul. Maybe it’s dealing with stuff from our past or the uncertainty of the future. Oswald Chambers, author of the bestselling devotional My Utmost for His Highest, fell into a deep darkness during his twenties.
So did I. For 3 years, I was filled with dread and depression, hidden for the most part from those around me. I pleaded with God in prayer and meditated on the truths of His Word. In time, I passed through my dark night and back into the light of life.
If you’re feeling down today or you know someone who’s dealing with a dark night of the soul, take these words to heart: Turn to Jesus, rest in Him, give it time, and a new day will dawn.
Turn to Jesus. In Matthew 11, Jesus described a “childlike” faith that we are to pursue when we’re depressed or anxious (Matthew 11:25). This is a raw trust that defies our troubled minds and restless spirits.
Rest in Him. Jesus says to us, “Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The darkness of depression can make us numb to His love and presence. So we must choose to fall into His arms and find rest there.
Give it time. Sometimes your spiritual and emotional healing will take weeks, months, even years. But as you keep trusting and resting in Him, eventually His love will light the way to true “rest for your [soul]” (Matthew 11:29).
The day will dawn. Not only is God’s burden of the soul “light” (Matthew 11:30), but He will once again fill your heart and soul with His light!
Don’t give up. In time the darkness will dispel as joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 23:1-12
More:
David spent many hours dealing with a dark night. Cling to his advice found in Psalm 55:22.
Next:
If you’re dealing with a dark night, how will you begin to follow Jesus’ instruction? How can you lovingly encourage someone who is down?
sowharvest on September 24, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hello Tom:
It is not only in our twenties. IT is whenever our season is. It is hard to not be dismayed or tired. Yet thru the crying and depression I keep waiting, calling seeking Jesus. The song “GOD will take care of you” is ringing loudly in my sou. All I can do is hold on. I don’t know how to give up[although I’ve said i.m done] I am still looking for Jesus to change our situation. So timely post as usual. May GOD bless you and keep you. Peace
tom felten on September 24, 2011 at 10:54 am
sowharvest, I pray that God will fill you with His peace and presence today. Some of the most talented, caring Christians I’ve met have suffered from depression over their lives. Deep empathy and genuine caring for others mark the sensitive nature of these individuals.
lindagrace on September 24, 2011 at 11:34 am
Sowharvest,don’t give up.I believe that in all we go through,we ought to learn something new out of it or you may be going through that so that someday you’ll help some else going through the same .
JORGE MIGUEL DIAZ TORRES on September 24, 2011 at 2:06 pm
DIOS, EL ÚNICO REFUGIO.
Buenos días hermanos y hermanas del mundo entero; Aquí les comparto con amor y fe, la bendición de consejos y dirección recibidos en este día maravilloso. Oro y pido oración por el pueblo de: Vietnam; Que tu Salvador JESÚS, toques a todos allá y hagas que ellos te acepten en sus vidas y así reciban el perdón de todos sus pecados y la vida nueva, plena y eterna, que solo tu Señor JESÚS, nos das.
PROVERBIOS CAP: 24, VERS: 8.
AL QUE PIENSA HACER EL MAL, LE LLAMARÁN HOMBRE DE MALOS PENSAMIENTOS.
Hermanos cada día que DIOS, nos da; Vamos haciendo historia con nuestras vidas. Si caminamos en justicia, amor, paz y fe, junto a nuestro Señor JESÚS; Dejaremos obras buenas y herencia eterna para nuestra descendencia. Si caminamos en pecado; Dejaremos destrucción, odio, contienda, amargura y pobreza para nuestra descendencia.
SALMOS CAP: 62, VERS: 1 y 2.
EN DIOS SOLAMENTE ESTÁ ACALLADA MI ALMA; DE ÉL VIENE MI SALVACIÓN. ÉL SOLAMENTE ES MI ROCA Y MI SALVACIÓN; ES MI REFUGIO, NO RESBALARÉ MUCHO.
Hermanos como hijos de DIOS, siempre tenemos que estar pegados a nuestro Señor JESÚS; Para poder mantenernos firmes y en victoria continua. Solo con ÉL, a nuestro lado, todas las cosas son para bien.
Hermanos y hermanas no busquemos refugiarnos en personas, dinero, cosas de este mundo; Porque seremos avergonzados y traicionados. Busquemos y aceptemos a nuestro Salvador JESÚS, en nuestras vidas y así estaremos protegidos siempre y eternamente. Bendiciones para todos. Amén.
HERMANOS EN CRISTO JESÚS. AQUI LA BENDICIÓN DIARIA DE HOY 24-09-2011: http://www.badongo.com/es/file/25774368 Y LA REUNION FAMILIAR DE AYER 23-09-2011: http://www.badongo.com/audio/25774629 EN AUDIO MP3, PARA QUE LO DESCARGUEN LO ESCUCHEN Y LO COMPARTAN. BENDICIONES PARA TODOS. AMEN.
Irene_Ukraine on September 24, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Mr. Felten, thank you for the post!
one remark: it seems to me that here you view depression as the same as the dark night of the soul, while I think that they are different things. as I see it, depression is a psychological condition, and dark night is a spiritual condition. depression may be caused by dark night of the soul, but there are also other things that cause depression, like loneliness, loss, fear etc.
tom felten on September 24, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Good thoughts, Irene. You’re right, there are many things that lead to a depressed state. In Psalm 55, we read that David was “overwhelmed” by “troubles” (Psalm 55:2). His heart was pounding and fear had filled his mind (Psalm 55:4-5). He chose to call out to God who alone could “rescue” him and heard him in his “distress” (Psalm 55:16-17). It’s wonderful to know that we can call on God even when our hearts and minds are troubled. He is there and He is our hope!
regina franklin on September 24, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Tom–You give wise counsel when you say, “Sometimes your spiritual and emotional healing will take weeks, months, even years. But as you keep trusting and resting in Him, eventually His love will light the way to true “rest for your [soul]” (Matthew 11:29).” It’s so easy to claim God’s promise to complete His good work in us (Ps 138:8) when all looks well, but it’s in the valleys of our dark days when we must reach for the truth by faith. If we seek Him, He will answer. If we surrender our doubts, fears and hurts, He will bring strength and healing.
mike wittmer on September 25, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Thank you for this wise counsel, Tom. In my experience it is often difficult to find a logical reason for the dark night, and “give it time” is often one of the best things I can do.