Being alone in the dark can be the most terrifying moment in a child’s life. I remember lying in bed at age 4, paralyzed by the dark. I cried out for my father, and he comes running into my room. There’s only 2 things he can do to calm my emotions: turn on the light or stay the rest of the night with me.
I think children are more perceptive than adults. As adults we pretend to be ok and ignore the darkness until it consumes us. If we ignore the darkness, it consumes us and takes us to a place many times of making horrible decisions. Possibly the darkness is fear, greed, despair, or bitterness.
David yields to the darkness of battle fatigued and sends his soldiers off to battle without him. Then he finds himself all alone, consumed by the darkness of lust, and then faces the consequences of the worst decision of his life.
One of the great lies is that darkness tells us that we are alone. Convinces us that there is no one else who has ever been there.
Jesus was not exempt from loneliness, experiencing the dark night of His soul. We can draw from His example. Not wanting to be alone in the Garden, He asks 3 of His best friends to be with Him and pray. In breathtaking vulnerability, He says, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Ever wonder what could happen to cause you to lose your light? It’s not usually because of failure. Could it be the deep wounds of betrayal, rejection or unexpected abandonment?
Darkness finds a way to steal our light. Life is not meant to be lived alone. Refuse to run from people you need in your life. Guard you Heart and respond to hate with love, betrayal with forgiveness, despair with hope, and darkness with light.
