Dark Night of the Soul

I wish I could say I was perfect, but I am not. When I think I have it “all together”; I find I don't. As hard as I try to serve Christ; I often fail. Recently, I found myself spinning my “spiritual” wheels. That is when I pray, I don't really feel connected. When I read Scripture, I get no new revelation. The harder I try to serve God; the more distant He seems.

I have been a Christian long enough to know that my relationship with Christ is not always a 'mountain top' experience. As in all relationships, there are highs and lows. I thoroughly enjoy the 'high' moments, but I dread the 'low' moments.

As an amateur Church historian, I remember reading the biographies of many notable Christians: Charles Spurgeon, Protestant reformer Martin Luther, 18^th century Missionary to the Native Americans David Brainerd, and most notable was Mother Theresa and those are just a few that have struggled with spiritual lows. I should take comfort to be included in their number. But I still don't like where I am at.

I think if we were all honest, we have all struggled with what has been called “The Dark Night of the Soul.” For some of us, these times might just be several days. For others, it might be months. Some of the “greats” of the faith struggled for years.

The purpose of this blog is to encourage transparency among the Body of Christ. (Myself included) Galatians 6:2 says, “Help carry each other's burden...” If you hide the fact that you are struggling spiritually, no one can help you through your struggle. So, find someone with whom you can be open and share your struggle. 

It's Horrible

 Four and one-half weeks I had cardio bypass surgery. Many people who had or knew people who had the surgery all said the worst part of the surgery was the recovery process. Words like "horrible," terrible" "tough" were frequently used to describe the recovery.

But like many words they can have relative meaning. I wasn't sure what I was going to experience and to what degree. Though I "knew" the words, it was only while experiencing the words did I fully understand them. I now have a new empathy for those who have experienced the recovery process. I understand their depression, depths of emotions and pain.

You can only truly say, "I know how you feel" when you have experienced the experience. We should not make glib statements unless we have walked a "mile in their moccasins." (Indian proverb.)