Grief

Disappointment

Hurt

-OR-

Long suffering

Perseverance

Obedience

In the darkness, the anguish and the exhaustion, I have the opportunity to make a choice.  Will I listen to the voice that is shouting through my pain that I am useless and have absolutely no value, or will I choose to hear the still, small voice saying that I am greatly, steadfastly loved regardless of circumstances?

I can choose NOT to let pain be the definition of my story any longer.
I can choose TO reach for the courage to believe that God has written a new story for my life.

He is The Father of Lights who brings me out of darkness into the light.

 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  James 1:16-17

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6

…delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’  Acts 26:17

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  1 John 1:5

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.  Micah 7:8

Next Steps

Choose to have good support systems around us

Choose to be open to change

Choose truth as denial keeps us in the dark – allow God to shine forth the truths we need in our lives

Choose to (re)evaluate how we handle pain and disappointment