When I Walk in the Dark ShadowsUzorak

God often reckons with the "self" in us by causing a dark shadow to fall as He rests His heavy hand on us. People insult and vilify you and those close to you accuse, attack, and persecute you.

Sometimes we begin to think rebellious thoughts or face sudden and fierce attacks in areas in which we believed we had long since achieved victory. God will refine us – like silver in a furnace. Slowly but surely, He will show us the true condition of our hearts. Why does he allow these things? To bring us to total submission and devotion to Him, to help us surrender ourselves to the cross, and to become dead to the world and ourselves so that we can live in the power of the resurrection and the fullness of God (Eph.3:19c).

In the darkness, God may begin to work in ways that are strange and new to us (Heb.5:2). This usually comes when we begin to think that we understand how God works. The darkness confuses us. Suddenly we no longer know everything and we have run out of answers. In these situations, God teaches us that it is not "light" that we need but Him alone. We learn that we cannot fully understand or know exactly what God will and will not do and we come to realise that He doesn't keep us informed about everything He is doing. Suddenly we no longer understand "how" God works. When the light comes, its purpose is not to give us all the answers, improve our circumstances, or help us feel God’s love once again. The light is God Himself. Even though there is darkness all around us, there is light because God is light.

When we sit in the darkness, we often feel miserable and uncomfortable. It is as though God has rejected us. It is in these situations that we often have deeper insight into the realities of our shortcomings, weaknesses, and flaws and we begin to discover the strength of the opposition of people and the devil. We will also experience the tremendous “pull” of the world and we will likely feel abandoned by God. Surely we don't deserve to be treated this way? During these times we need to know that God is in control regardless of our feelings and circumstances.