I said it again.
“I just don’t understand.”
I’ve said it a lot the past few months.
When situations arise that aren’t clear, our human brains want to find answers.
It’s uncomfortable to not know.
But here I am. You, too.
We may know some things—maybe even a lot of things—but there are far more things we don’t know than things we ever will know.
Even when we live in our God-given light, we’ll also have many nights we walk in the dark.
How do we stay safe while walking in the dark?
1. KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS
It helps to already be familiar with the terrain. We usually know the potholes on our daily path. Try skirting around them in the dark, too. Be aware of obstacles when possible. Stay away from spots you know will cause you trouble.
2. CARRY LIGHT WITH YOU
Even the darkest dark can become illuminated with a little light. If you’re a believer in God, turn on the light of his presence in the form of hope. When the darkness threatens to overcome you, light up your hope from the inside, where God’s Spirit lives.
3. STAY CALM
When the lights go out, we might be tempted to panic. But staying calm can help us make wiser decisions. Solutions are more likely to arise from a calm head than a flustered one.
4. REMEMBER IT WON’T ALWAYS BE DARK
Be patient. In confusing circumstances it helps me to remember a brighter light will eventually shine again. It won’t always be dark. The sun always rises if I’ll wait on another rotation of the earth.
5. DON’T WALK ALONE
It’s comforting to have a friend along when you’re walking in the dark. God designed us to stay together through dark seasons.
Yet Even…
Yet even with the best precautions and preparations, bad things can and do happen in the dark (well, also in the light). There are no guarantees.
Perhaps we have to redefine what “safe” means.
Here’s what it does not mean.
- Safe doesn’t mean we’ll never have pain.
- It doesn’t mean we’re immune from danger.
- It doesn’t mean our bodies will never die.
So what does safe mean in the ultimate sense?
For me, safe means I’ll never walk alone, in this life or the next. I’ll always be loved. I’ll always be guided. Whether it’s like or it’s dark.
God himself is my ultimate companion. And he is Light itself.
I’m reminding myself of that, even as I say, “I just don’t understand.”
God wants me to keep moving forward anyway, dark or not. Keep living, keep loving.
Seeing clearly in the dark isn’t an illusion worth chasing. Seeking clarity can become an idol.
Trusting the one I’m walking with is where my safety lies.
Maybe one day I’ll understand; maybe I won’t.
In the meantime, I want to hold tightly to God’s hand.
That’s where my true security rests, in the light and through the dark.
How do you make it through a dark night?
