Finding Beauty in the Darkness

Photo Courtesy of Jessah Hatfield

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 ESV

The weather report revealed snow actively falling which sent me bounding across the hardwood floors to open the door and peer outside. Snow is so rare here in the South that when it comes I don’t want to miss it. At first glance I could not see it. Its beauty was obscured by the darkness of the night. It was only when I shifted my gaze to the streetlight that I could see the wisps of powder circling in the air. My soul quieted as the fluffy flakes fell. I wanted to perch by the window in a state of wonder at the glory showering down from heaven. 

Yet that night’s snow did not afford me a perch by the window, perusing the majesty, because it was too difficult to see. As I stood at the door, peering out, I realized that one would not even know it was snowing without gazing at the falling flakes through the haze of the outside lights. You see, in order for me to see the snow, I had to intentionally look past the darkness and into the light to see its presence. There was beauty in the darkness, but I could not see it without searching for its presence in the light.

Isn’t that the way it is in the dark times of life? We can become so consumed with the pain, heartbreak, and struggle that we cannot see any goodness. We lose our focus and drift into despair.

This past year I walked through a dark season of grief after my father passed on to his heavenly home. I found myself searching for goodness amid the pain and constantly reminding myself that God is good––even here. The memory of my searching through the darkness to find the gift of the snow has reminded me that looking at the light of Jesus in a world of darkness provides a blessing that I cannot explain. And His grace truly is sufficient to meet my every need (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So how do we find goodness when all around us seems dark? I confess that I’m still learning this lesson. Just as I had to be intentional at finding the blessing of the snow, I must be intentional at discovering goodness in this difficult season.

There are, however, some things I have learned to do. First, it’s a conscious decision on my part to shift my focus. When I’m hyper-focused on calamity, my vision is skewed, and I can only see the all-consuming loss. This is where I find my heartbeat quickens, my thoughts race, my head aches, and my nerve endings tingle. My body, soul, and mind are in a state of unrest.

After shifting my focus to the light of God’s truth and blessings in my life, I begin to take stock of the beauty that remains. This shifting brings peace and rest just as peering into the falling snow quieted my soul.

The goodness that remains is peace in the fact that my father is at true rest. He had suffered long and hard in his many years, but now he is at perfect rest. I am thankful for the love he gave me, and most of all, for introducing me to Christ, the lover of my soul. 

Friend, are you struggling in the darkness? May I encourage you to search for the beauty therein? It may be remembering the last trial that God brought you through that, at the time, seemed impossible to endure. It may be something smaller, like having the necessary food to prepare a meal. Whatever it is (big or small) recognize it, gaze upon the beauty of it, and thank God for it. And when you can’t see the beauty around you in the darkness, remember that there is always light and hope in the Word of God, in Christ Himself. 

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for staying close to me in the dark times. Please remind me that Your light is always present, and darkness cannot dispel it. Light up my heart with Your hope, and help me to see the beauty that remains. Fill me with Your love and quiet my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.