Darkness to Light
How do we live day after day when we can't seem to get out of the valley as so many of us are feeling now amidst the COVID-19 outbreak? Take a slow deep breath. Focus on your breath as you breath slowly in and out. Feel the stress, fear, worry, anxiety, and panic release from your body. Then sit in acceptance, being aware of exactly where you are. Notice as your feelings begin to change, lessen and assuage as you embrace with welcome the quiet moment. As we begin to rest and observe our surroundings, we might find that in the Valley there is grass, maybe Green Pastures, to nourish and help us grow. Valleys are lush and green with life because there is usually a stream flowing through to refresh and restore with the Waters of life. If we keep looking and seeking, we will see the Shepherd tending His flock with love and care and protecting them. We will find that His Rod and Staff will give us the comfort of His constant presence. It is He alone who will lead us out of the Valley, guiding us along the safe path up to the mountaintop. When we look back down to the valley, we will then see just how far we have come...just how much we have grown.
The peaks of mountains above the tree line are bare of growth. This is analogous to our peaks in life where there is typically little spiritual growth. So maybe if we can reframe our outlook of the valleys in life, we can begin to see these periods of time as opportunities for personal growth and for cultivating our relationship with the Lord drawing closer to Him. With this change in attitude, a gift can emerge out of our difficulties that can bless us with God’s loving presence and His peace that surpasses all understanding. May you feel His peace and loving presence during this trying time knowing it all will give way to the hope and promise of a brighter world and future to come. Prayers to you and the world.
Darkness to Light
Where there is darkness God can bring light
When we think He is not there we are in His sight
Our loving God can and will make things right
He is all powerful in His strength and might
Where there is turmoil and lives have paid a cost
When we feel hopeless, bereaved, and lost
Jesus is who should be sought
Our salvation with His blood He bought
Where silence is present and all we hear
When we think God is gone, not near
In the quiet His still small voice we can hear
His presence and comfort will remove all our fear
Where the world is chaotic, tumultuous, and unjust
When we think we can no longer go on and adjust
Remember we are all just fleeting, mere dust
It is only in God we must place all our trust
- Dr. Rhonda Milner
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"
Proverbs 3:5
"The Lord is my shepherd; shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalm 23
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, 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 through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
