The Dark Night of the Soul

"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position" (James 1:9). Have you ever been to the place where the bottom fell out of everything? You felt so low that you could walk under a snakes belly without ducking. You were in a place where everything you touched fell apart. A trial like this is designed to accomplish something only the process from the place of "Humble circumstances" can do. Job learned that "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). Job's trials allowed him to learn things about God, himself and his friends that we all needed to know as well. He assumed things about God that he had to recant: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know" (Job 42:3). David learned how to be a King from the humble circumstances of herding sheep. Joseph learned how to be a ruler from the humble circumstances of prison. The Apostle Peter learned how to be a follower of Jesus from the humble circumstances surrounding his denial of Jesus. The Lord will take you to the dark places of circumstances and there He will reveal something He wants you and others to know. He has sent you ahead to learn these things so that you and others will benefit from your unique experience. Remember in Act 2: how Peter was able to say "The Lord whom you denied." According to James God views this place where you receive these truths as a "High position". The world views it as a place to be shunned at all costs. Have you hit bottom? Are you sick, broke, depressed, despised, lonely, feeling hopeless. or a combination of the above? The fact is your lowly state is considered a high position by God, this is His preparation soil for revealing deep things from the dark places that He desires you to learn. The writers of old would refer often to the "Dark night of the soul." Every believer I know has experienced this very place. What should we do in the place of humble circumstances? We must listen for the still small voice of God. He will show up, we dare not miss Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences and local church meetings.