There are times that for us are dry and barren, seemingly empty times. In the Christian tradition they have been called "the desert," "the wilderness", or "the dark night of the soul."
This is likely referring, not to God's chastening hand on someone due to some sin they have fallen into (as seen here). It is more referring to God's hand on a life in Jesus, for change.
Most change in the Christian life is gradual, like the growth of an oak tree. There are times, however, when God knows there needs to be some serious change. Not unlike the pruning Jesus refers to of all who as branches are in him, the true vine. And during those times there may indeed be growth spurts.
In our evangelical Christian tradition, it is indeed hard for us to understand and accept the notion of any "dark night of the soul." We tend to think all should be light, and blessed as in happy.
But if we are willing to really go on into the deepest depths with our Lord and Savior, Jesus, then we'll submit to God's dealing in our lives in ways we cannot understand. And we'll endeavor to be faithful by God's grace and with the wise support of others, through those times. Otherwise we will simply choose to bail out, and live as we did before. A life of knowing God by faith in Jesus, but one that does not mature into the Christ-likeness God has for us in this life.
What would you like to add to this?
Showing posts with label dark night of the soul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dark night of the soul. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
quote of the week: N.T. Wright- an aside related to the "dark night of the soul"
...all the loose talk in some Christian circles about "my relationship with God" as the center of everything, which then of course becomes problematic when one encounters depression, or enters a "dark night of the soul"...N.T. Wright, Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision, 149
Saturday, July 18, 2009
when lost
When unsettled for any reason at all, what do we do? What we do is important, because becoming unsettled in some way can result in a downward spiral which can have some undesirable or even disastrous results.
Yes, what we do I say, not what we believe, though it is true that what we really have faith in should determine what we do.
Why do I say that? Because often we can't see our way out of the fog and darkness we're in. Yes, sometimes believers do get lost (as a recent Michael Card song tells us), and we can find ourselves groping with the sense that what we've relied on before seems to be gone. Maybe akin to Jesus on the cross crying out, "My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?"
For me it means I need to pray to God, beginning with the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. And then I get into God's word. Maybe a passage will come to mind, or a book to work through. And I always ask my wife, Deb to pray for me during such times.
Usually in time, and in time is important by the way, that takes care of it. But if not, I may want to get together with my pastor or a good friend to share my struggle. Usually for me in recent years that has involved Deb, and sometimes friends by email.
Again it's important that when unsettled for any reason we both act, and that what we do is turned toward God in faith. Through prayer, the word, the fellowship of believers- all through Jesus by the Spirit. God will help us through, as we endeavor to walk through those dark times with him.
What would you like to share on this?
Yes, what we do I say, not what we believe, though it is true that what we really have faith in should determine what we do.
Why do I say that? Because often we can't see our way out of the fog and darkness we're in. Yes, sometimes believers do get lost (as a recent Michael Card song tells us), and we can find ourselves groping with the sense that what we've relied on before seems to be gone. Maybe akin to Jesus on the cross crying out, "My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?"
For me it means I need to pray to God, beginning with the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. And then I get into God's word. Maybe a passage will come to mind, or a book to work through. And I always ask my wife, Deb to pray for me during such times.
Usually in time, and in time is important by the way, that takes care of it. But if not, I may want to get together with my pastor or a good friend to share my struggle. Usually for me in recent years that has involved Deb, and sometimes friends by email.
Again it's important that when unsettled for any reason we both act, and that what we do is turned toward God in faith. Through prayer, the word, the fellowship of believers- all through Jesus by the Spirit. God will help us through, as we endeavor to walk through those dark times with him.
What would you like to share on this?
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
when we lose heart
I have been struggling lately not to do more than just go through the motions of what I'm supposed to do, and really have to do, day after day. Of course there are notable exceptions, such as when Deb and I celebrated our granddaughter's first birthday, just recently.
When I lose heart, then I know I need to pray. Jesus taught his disciples that they should always pray, rather than lose heart, or give up. Sometimes that's all I feel I can do, simply pray. And keep praying.
In the ebb and flow of life, this does seem like a kind of low time for me. One that carries with it plenty of sadness and some numbness with it.
But such a time can be a special time to come before God in his word and in prayer. That is what I want to do.
What about you? How do you go through such times?
When I lose heart, then I know I need to pray. Jesus taught his disciples that they should always pray, rather than lose heart, or give up. Sometimes that's all I feel I can do, simply pray. And keep praying.
In the ebb and flow of life, this does seem like a kind of low time for me. One that carries with it plenty of sadness and some numbness with it.
But such a time can be a special time to come before God in his word and in prayer. That is what I want to do.
What about you? How do you go through such times?
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