Thoughts for Life: OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT

Mary Southerland- Children are wonderfully different.

When our son Jered was nine months old, he began to pull up on every piece of furniture he could find. He maneuvered his way around our home until the day he took his first step … alone. It was a step of inches, but we celebrated as if he had run a marathon.

Our daughter Danna had a different plan. When she was ten months old, Danna stood up, looked around, and trotted across the room. Jered and Danna both walk extremely well today as young adults, but they both began with tiny steps … and in their own way.

Nobody gets depressed overnight, and nobody overcomes depression overnight. The journey out of the pit is a process of steps uniquely planned by your Father.

First, we must wait. The psalmist simply says, “I waited.” Waiting is not passive. Waiting is a time of preparation, a time of rest and healing.

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3 NIV).

This verse says our Father has gone before us and, in every dark moment, has buried a treasure or stored a secret. Some things cannot be learned in the light. The pit of depression has become a hedge of protection in my life, a warning light that something is wrong or out of balance. To wait means to accept the pit, knowing it is for our good.

Second, we must be real. Emotional health begins at the point of emotional integrity. When clinical depression first overwhelmed my life, my husband was the pastor of a large, fast-growing church. We decided that to be right, we had to be real. We shared my battle with the staff, the deacons, and then with the entire church. Yes, we took a risk, but we learned an important lesson. A shared load is a lighter load because we were created to need each other.

Third, we must be still. We can get so wrapped up in everyday life that we fail to be wrapped up in Him. The busier we are, the more stillness we need. During those two years in the pit, I not only gave up every role of leadership, but I could not even attend church at times because of panic attacks. The Father taught me an important truth. He is more concerned with who I am than what I do. He loves it when I am sitting at His feet.

Fourth, we must cry out for help. God stands waiting to hear our voice; and when we cry out to Him, He comes running – through His Word, through prayer, and through His people.

God also works through doctors and counselors. Depression is often rooted in a physical problem that requires medication to correct. The medicine does not eliminate the depression, but it does level the playing field so that whatever is triggering the depression can be addressed. Christian counselors are a gift from God. God also works through friends and family members to encourage and help us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t be too proud to accept it.

Finally, we must be patient. It took me many years to hit rock bottom, and it took me two years to climb out of that pit. I still battle depression. I have asked God to deliver me, but He has said “No.” Depression keeps me broken. Anything that makes me cry out to God can be counted as a blessing. When we come to the end of ourselves, God begins.

I don’t know if you are in a pit and need help, or if someone you love is in that pit and needs help.

Don’t quit!

Don’t give up!

God is with you.

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name" (Isaiah 45:3 NIV).

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

By Mary Southerland On February 17, 2023

Let’s Pray

Father, [when] my heart is filled with chaos and confusion. I feel as if I am drowning in my circumstances. I need the strength and peace that only You can give. Right now, I choose to rest in You, trusting You to bring me out of the darkness.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

971-975 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

971- Eph. 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."

972- Ps. 66:10 "For thou, O God, has proved us, thou hast tried us, as silver is tried."

973- 1 Peter 4:9 "Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

974- 1 Cor. 13:4a "Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind."

975- Ps. 113:2 "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore."

Words of wisdom-

~ We need refilling of the Holy Spirit. Spend time with Jesus! If biblical revival comes, it must proceed from a supernatural manifestation of the presence of God. Words from the Father in a journal:

"When you think of your activities for the day, you can "see" what needs to be done and then make plans accordingly. I want you to be willing to linger on each scene as you pray, so I can come into their reality and show you what their real need is. I will help you visualize Me there with them and show you what I plan to do with and for them.

I know you've desired to be more visual, and as you've been hindered by your not concentrating on Me in worship, you've held back. It blesses you when you see someone seemingly touch Me, and you're longing for that to happen to you. You're looking for Reality to happen to you.

Please be patient with me and yourself. We're working together on this. I want to help you touch Me in a greater way and it will happen. You'll need to relax and allow Me to show you My Presence is with you. You're afraid to let go and fully trust Me!

You can fully believe Me to control what you're seeing and feeling. I will take you to new heights of worship so that I will be glorified. You are precious to me and I won't allow any experience to harm you in any way, only to strengthen you."

~ Words of encouragement-

Deborah Payne- "Paul knew the believers in philippi would face difficult circumstances, untrustworthy people, and sickness—all of which made keeping their balance difficult. Just as a racecar driver must depend upon his pit crew throughout the race to finish it, so must believers rely daily on the power of the Holy Spirit. He empowers us to get back on track, but He doesn't do it automatically. Instead, He waits for us to ask for His help."

DiAne Gates- "Wisdom is a gift from God, and He promises all we must do is ask. But wisdom comes through years and years of learning to ask before acting. Waiting before leaping. Learning to recognize our hearts are frail and continually asking for God’s wisdom in each problem and every decision."

#10 of 23 Parallels between Moses and Messiah:

The first plague of Moses, he struck the Nile waters, to turn into blood (Exodus 7:14-22).

In His first miracle, Messiah turned water into wine (John 2:1-11).

Some encouraging words-

Andrea Merrell - "Something good. That’s God’s plan. He takes what the Enemy intends for evil, turns it around, and works it into . . . yep, something good. In God’s economy, He wastes nothing. He is in the recycling business, turning ashes into beauty and mourning into joy."