A few weeks ago, I was listening to worship music and thinking that although I loved the music, it had been years since I had felt that “desperation” to lean into God. I recognized how blessed I am, yet also had this surreal thought that so many of these worship words currently didn’t apply to me.
Stupid thought.
Stupid.
October 17th, my husband had knee replacement, which went well. But the surgery spiraled into a couple other medical issues resulting in a second surgery, lots of medical things and longer recovery. None of this is life-threatening, just exhausting. None of this is life-changing, just frustrating. In the middle of all this, we thought it was a good idea to go to a retina specialist for his eyes, resulting in semi-devastating news. Not life-threatening, but yes life-changing.
All this to say that once again, here I am confessing to you, other than the days of surgeries, I was so exhausted and frustrated that I neglected to pray. How is this possible? How in the world, does a “seasoned” Christian forget God in the process?
In some ways, we are tempted to believe God changes when trouble comes our way, or we begin to spiral. This is not only false, but also short sighted. Since the Creator has no beginning or end, and since He cannot lie, He is (to quote the writer of Hebrews) the “same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)
This is important for us to understand, since Christians are not exempt from difficulties. While we live in this flesh and on this earth, it rains on both the sinner and the saint. This is one of my favorite thoughts. We live in a broken world. It rains on all of us.
Unfortunately, when troubles come, the first reaction can be to doubt the Creator. “Why would God let that happen?” God gets a bad rap. But, God has promised us that he always remains loving, kind, and patient.
God does not change, even when we are in the dark places of our lives. Unfortunately, the Enemy of our souls wants to divert our attention so that we focus on the problem, instead of God. And that easily happens. But we are not the only ones who have experienced this tug-of-war. Four men in the Bible are great examples to us: King David, Job, Paul, and Silas. After horrendous problems hit them, they worshiped God.
“Worshiping from a dark place” refers to the act of expressing devotion to God even when experiencing significant personal hardship, pain, or difficult circumstances, essentially meaning you are praying to and praising God despite feeling lost, alone, or deeply troubled; it signifies the ability to find faith and hope even amid challenges.
Key points about worshiping from a dark place:
- Honesty in prayer:
It means bringing your true feelings and struggles to God, without trying to sugarcoat or pretend everything is fine. In times of darkness: cry, weep, yell, lament. God can take ALL of it. God is bigger than any problem of this world.
- Faith amid darkness:
Despite feeling lost, the act of worship demonstrates a trust that God is still present and can guide through the darkness.
- Biblical reference:
Many biblical stories show figures worshiping God in difficult times, like Job who praised God even during immense suffering. Of course, read Job and life seems pretty good on this side. Then again, if I read Job, I’ll be even more depressed.
I know prayer doesn’t work like turning on a faucet, but as soon as I remembered to include God in our doctor appointments, physical therapy and daily activities, life got better. Instead of spiraling down, we started climbing up.
- What does God say about being in a dark place?
He also assures us that darkness cannot win against light, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Ask Jesus to shed His light on your situation.
There’s a story in the bible about a man named Heman. We don’t know much but we are thrown into the middle of his pain, to sit in the dark with him as he communicates with God. He laments to God with intense grief. Some people can relate to the psalmist’s suffering, but can also remember God’s deliverance. Then, others would raise their hand and say, “I get it. I can’t see God right now in this circumstance, this relationship, this illness, this loss. It’s not getting any better. I, too, am sitting in the dark.”
Each of us will experience the effects of a broken, sin-cursed world. Sometimes in a way that feels utterly hopeless. So, when God seems distant, when we have more questions than answers when our pain in this life feels endless, what do we do?
We worship.
Hmm, easier said than done.
Amid his loss, confusion, pain, longings and grief, the psalmist expresses his feelings to the Lord.
He acknowledges God’s power to save (Psalm 88:1). He acknowledges God’s ability to do something about his situation (Psalm 88:2) He acknowledges God’s faithfulness to keep listening (Psalm 88:9). He acknowledges God’s character, even though he doesn’t see it at work (Psalm 88:10-12). He acknowledges God’s promise to listen to his people (Psalm 88:13).
The psalmist might be clinging to God by his fingernails on the edge of a cliff, but he’s still holding on. This is worshipping God in the dark. Have you been there?
I’ve likely written about this before. I’ll never forget when my friends 25-year-old son was gunned down assisting another police officer on a traffic stop. I helplessly stood by and watched as their family was turned upside down and the darkness closed in. Yet, I also watched them remain steadfast in their faith. God remained the same for them. No blame, they leaned into Him. I was, and still am, in awe of their grace.
Psalm 139:11-12 says, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night’, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
Our darkness can never put out the light of the glory of God.
Our circumstances don’t remove any aspect of God’s character or ever dim it. He remains the same, regardless of how we feel or what our life might look like. He’s always worthy of our worship, our praise, even from the dark.
It’s worth saying here that I’m mixing “pray” and “praise.” In my mind it goes without saying that when we talk to God, we also praise Him. The truism, “There is always something to be grateful for” is valid even in the dark.
The Details of Our Worship
What exactly are we supposed to do when we’re worshipping in the dark? We come as we are and we hold nothing back. Heman didn’t polish up his feelings or put together an elegant prayer. He didn’t smile and say the words that everyone wanted to hear or sweep his grief under the carpet as though it didn’t exist. His cry in verse one is better translated from the Hebrew as a shriek or a shrill cry.
Psalm 88 gives us permission to scream to God in our pain. Not scream about God, remember we’re still directing our worship to the Lord. Our worship of God in the dark includes cries of our pain, and expression of our exact feelings in response to what we’re experiencing, but it’s never directed anywhere but to the Lord.
Remember the story of Job? He lost everything — family, possessions, health, friends. He lamented this way, “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 7:11). Verse after verse Job cried to the Lord, searching for hope, relief from his suffering, and understanding of God’s ways.
It can be argued that no one went through more than Job. He lost his family (except for his wife), his wealth, and even his health. His losses make most people’s problems seem minor, yet he worshiped (Job 1:20) “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God (Job 1:22) He decided to trust God in a very dark place.
Left unspoken our suffering and pain will only produce bitterness and discontentment toward the Lord. Poured out without restraint, our suffering and pain will reach the heart of our Savior.
So, to those who have unresolved circumstances in your life that continue to cause you pain and grief, tell God.
To those who don’t like the lot they’ve been given in life, say to God, “You have the power to prevent this, but you haven’t. Help me to believe that you are righteous and good because it sure doesn’t feel like it right now.”
For those with unfulfilled longings, say to God, “You could give me what I’m asking for, but you’re still withholding it. Show me your wonders amid my unmet expectations.”
So, how long are we supposed to worship from the dark?
As long as we’re in it.
If our suffering is endless, our worship should be endless.
We can worship in the dark because for those of us who are in Christ, darkness will never have the final say.
What was it that these men of the Bible actually did? They looked toward the light amid the darkness. That Light is God.
Jesus offers himself to us amid our pain, and He is enough. His understanding of your pain and his presence with you in the midst of it. You can cling to him in the darkness.
There are two points to sharing all this. One, just a reminder, if you are currently sitting in a dark place, there is light. There is truth in leaning into and on Him. He is waiting.
Jesus died for our sins. Jesus is alive. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is our Hope. This is our hope when the darkness presses in.
Second, as we enter this holiday season, we are inundated with joyful scenes: families and friends, lights and glitter, fun and festivity. But not everyone enters the holidays with a sense of anticipation and happiness. Some will go through the next 6 weeks in the dark. It’s good to remember that some folks will need extra encouragement.
For God and you,
Deb Bostwick
Singles Blogger