The Only Way Out is Go Through It

Use this time of confusion to grow

1 Peter 5:7

Throw all your worry on Him, because He cares for you.

The state of the world, and in particular, the state of America, has never been this unsettling.

• Inflation is making it difficult to feed your household (especially if you have a large family).

• The escalation of rent and property taxes is making it difficult for many to keep a roof over their head.

• Business owners are challenged because the cost of goods is not being offset by sales; long-standing customers are cutting back and cutting corners because every dollar is going to truly essential expenses: food, shelter, cost of transportation.

• Massive arrival of illegals is unsettling (what are they up to?)

• Billions of our tax dollars (needed for American bridges, dams, levies, highways, and more) are going to fund death campaigns in foreign countries (Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon).

We all experience times when our faith is challenged, when we are perplexed about what to do and where to turn because everything that has worked in the past to get us ahead is no longer working. Sometimes these circumstances are called a “dark night of the soul.”

The Dark Night of the Soul (La noche oscura del alma) is a phase ascribed to the 16th-century Roman Catholic Spanish mystic San Juan de la Cruz, or Saint John of the Cross. It can occur when something happens that you can't explain or situations around you spiral out of control, leading to a place of powerlessness, maybe even tottering on the verge of hopelessness.

Walking through discouragingly dark days can be painful, but if you embrace the experience instead of trying to avoid it, the darkness can lead to new revelations. Confusion leads to asking deeper questions. Doubts arise to encourage us to dig deeper into God’s Word to find encouragement and for understanding. This is where our relationship with God gets real.

Personal growth can lead to radical changes in certain areas of life, especially in areas where we have remained because they are comfortable—your job, your friends, your current church. A change may be necessary to make room for something new and more deeply fulfilling.

Take a look at your situations, circumstances, and relationships. Are they in lockstep with where you are or where you want to go? Do your friends share your enthusiasm to have a deeper, closer relationship with God? Or do they view your spiritual growth as a “phase you’re passing through” and you’ll “get back to business” soon?

If it’s time to make a change or move on, that’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of serious introspection and personal growth.

PB=paperback. The Hardback edition and Book 2 coming soon~

There’s a story I heard years ago; maybe you’re familiar with it. It goes something like this:

Life is like a bus. You get on the bus when you’re born. At various points throughout life, other people join your ride. Some stay on the bus for a brief moment; they are there to show or teach you something. Some stay on your bus for several years. Some are there for a lifetime.

The only other person who is permanently on the bus with you is God. You can choose to build a relationship with God, the bus driver, or choose to ignore Him as simply someone who is “there” but you’re not engaged with. The choice is up to you.

If you are traversing through a dark period in your life, use it to go inside and get to know yourself and your God better. Confront those uncomfortable corners of your life you’d rather not deal with. They hold keys to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Remember what the Bible says about being anxious:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

Even as Christians, we can occasionally feel lost, discouraged, and even disillusioned when life’s circumstances seem to be more than we can handle and we see no way out.

There is a saying that goes, “The only way out is through.” Be easy on yourself. Give yourself the gift of time. Growth and resolution don’t come easy. Take the Lord’s hand, and He will walk with you through your challenges—whether physical, mental, or emotional. As you slowly leave the challenges behind and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, take time to pause and reflect on the journey. You’ll be stronger, wiser, and at peace.

Today’s Prayer

Father, sometimes life on earth can be so confusing and unclear. Thank You for always being close; all we need to do is reach out. The answers may not be immediate, but through Your Word, we know that You are here and that You hear.

Keep our hearts and minds in a place where we are eager to learn, willing to grow and able to change. Help us to know what needs to be left behind, what needs to change, and what we are to pursue. Grant us Your mercy, and help us to show mercy and grace to ourselves and our circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.