Dark Night of the Soul - Part Two

 

In my last blog I dealt with my personal “Dark Night of the Soul.' I briefly described how it affected me but did not have space to share how to survive the experience. I mentioned that if you have been a Christ-follower for long, you have probably found a time in your spiritual journey when you came to an abrupt halt. You may have experienced depression, hopelessness, confusion, lethargy, anger, sadness, even thoughts of suicide.

Many people seek the help of a psychologist during this experience and are wrongfully diagnosed with depression and are given antidepressants, The thing is, the problem is not in your head, it is in your soul. It is happening because you are in the process of incredibly painful spiritual transformation.

Growing in your relationship with Christ is a process. But that growth does not progress in a straight line. Our journey goes up and down, forward and backward. The goal is to develop a more Christ-like character.

Space does not allow me to fully treat how to deal with this subject but let me share some help while you go through your 'Dark Night.'

1. Educate yourself. The more you know the better off you will be, There are many helpful articles online.

2. Surrender and Trust. The more you resist the transformation process, the more pain you will feel. But once you let go, you will find freedom

3. Accept where you are at. You are right where God wants you to be.

4. Stay close to people who love you.

5. Pray and meditate. Pray for strength and guidance.

6. Exercise

7. Listen to spiritually uplifting music.

8. Focus on the positive. Philippians  4:8

Remember, this season will not last forever, You will be able to look back and see it as a blessing and not a curse. 

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. 

He's Got The Power

 

Having power at your fingertips is a thrilling experience. Whether it's a powerful car, a new power tool, or an awesome powerboat. If there's one thing men love its power. Unfortunately, sooner or later, we all experience a power failure.

Maybe your child gets cancer. Maybe you lose your job. Maybe you lose your spouse. No matter what the circumstance; losing power is a nightmare! My car has broken down on the interstate on several occasions. I felt totally helpless! But it's when you feel the weakest that God's power can be most visible.

What do we do when we can't fix the problem? God doesn't guarantee that every tragedy will have a happy ending. But He does promise to pour out His power into our lives. And that is the paradox of the Gospel. Even in the midst of suffering and pain, you can experience His power and have peace! We may not fully understand the loss, pain, betrayal that caused the 'power outage' but the unending strength of our Savior will help us through,

The Apostle Paul struggled with a special weakness that drove him to his knees. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 His reliance on God's strength is what really empowers us. Once we apply that truth, we'll survive every power failure we will ever have to face.

Who Do You Think You Are?

 Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States today. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have had their identities stolen each year. There are many companies that insure they will protect your identity.

Secular phycologists have promoted an idea called "crisis identity." An example of an identity crisis emerging from this status is an adolescent who become solitary after his identity as a star athlete is destroyed by a serious injury. There is much conflict between parents and cultural socialists. Our culture is trying to tell us that we should allow our children to choose their sexual identity, But I will leave that subject for another post.

But there is another identity crisis that people are often not aware of. Many people who profess the name "Christian" fail to realize their true identity in Christ. They fail to realize (and live like) they are they are a new person. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 When you are in Christ, you have a new identity. We need to stop living like orphans! WE are a child of God! WE belong to the family of God.

We need to have a new mind set. Romans 12:2 "...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." We need to rethink our identity. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. --Colossians 3:23

Remember who you are!

Lust

 

I am sure many of you were attracted to this blog due to its title. No question that we live in a sex-saturated society. But what many fail to realize is the word “lust” is basically not wrong. Technically, “lust” just means a strong desire. You might be mowing the lawn on a hot day and you might 'lust' for a glass of cold iced tea! Your neighbor is grilling steaks and the odor drifts into your yard and you 'lust' for a rib eye.

Most people connect lust with sex and that is part of our makeup. Remember 'lust' is a strong desire and without lust, we wouldn't have children! God has created man with a desire for sexual relationships. The Biblical book Song of Solomon speaks about the love and sexual longing between a man and woman. But God designed sex (and lust) to be shared only in the boundary of marriage.

God created sexual attraction but He has clearly stated that it be brought under control. Matthew 5:28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” I once had a “discussion” with a man who said it was impossible for a man to keep from “looking twice” at a scantly clad woman. I disagreed. He challenged me that I personally could not keep from looking twice. I told him that it was a struggle for me at the beginning of my walk with Christ but I found a way to overcome it.

Job 31:1 I made an agreement with my eyes. I promised not to look at a young woman with impure thoughts. I have disciplined my mind that when I see an attractive woman, I change my thoughts.... take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. After a while it became almost second nature. Sometimes I have to physically look the other way.

Can we live above the desires of the “flesh?” Most certainly. Philippians 4:13 Romans 6:12-14

I Can Handle This

 

Samson was the strongest man who ever lived and I'm sure he was famous for his amazing feats of strength. The problem is he began to get proud and believe there wasn't anything he could not handle. At birth, his parents dedicated him to the Lord and gave him three simple rules he was to follow.

Samson wanted to marry a Philistine woman which as an Israelite he was forbidden to marry. He forced his parents to consent and what does every guy needs to get married. That's right - a bachelor party! Samson wanted to get together with his buddies to get hammered. But Samson ignored the first rule given by God for his life.

1. Don't drink alcohol.

Samson was not supposed to drink alcohol at all. But because he figured since he was strong, he could handle it. A guy might believe he's really tough, so he convinces himself that he won't suffer the same consequences as other guys.

Just one drink/puff/hit isn't going to kill me. I can handle it.

Man, I really love this car/house/boat. I can make these payments.

I know I'm not 'suppose to' look at this website/image/video. But it's just this one time.

Because he was the strongest man who had ever lived, he genuinely thought he could handle it. But the fact is: he couldn't handle it! So what makes you think you can?

"So be careful. When you think you are standing firm, you might fall" I Corinthians 10:12

"Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it." Proverbs 4:23

Had Enough?

 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Most people think that the situation they find themselves in is unique. But the above Scripture tells us that your situation is not unique. That being the case, it behooves us to learn from other people's mistakes. Romans 15:4 says, "And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope."

The Old Testament prophet Elijah can teach us a valuable lesson. He once faced 450 pagan prophets and God honored Elijah by sending fire from heaven and had the false prophets killed. But after that intense encounter, Queen Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah. Elijah was terrified of this woman and ran for his life. 1 Kings 19 Elijah had come to the end of himself!

Have you ever felt like you could not take anymore? What can we learn from Elijah's mistakes?

1. He gave into self-pity. verse 19 verse 10 Remember you are a child of the Most High God. Don't surrender to self-pity.
2. He tried to face his trial alone. verse 3 says he left his servant behind. We are part of the Body of Christ, we need to share our burdens with each other. Galatians 6:2
3. He was physically exhausted. He ran almost 100 miles to get away from Queen Jezebel and was totally gave out. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest.
4. He needed proper nourishment. You cannot fight depression without the proper food. 1 Kings 19:6-9 verse 7 Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. You need spiritual food as well as physical food.

You can overcome every situation that you face. Christ gives me the strength to face anything. Philippians 4:13.