Light In The Dark: Trusting God When Life Feels Heavy

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Lately, headlines have felt especially heavy. News of violence in schools, the shooting of Charlie Kirk, and so many other tragedies can leave us reeling, wondering how to hold hope in a world that seems so fragile. Pair that with the ordinary challenges of family, work, and everyday life, and it’s easy to feel discouraged or even numb.

Not long ago, I found myself in a difficult season—disheartened and worn thin. We had uprooted our lives once again, landing in a new state just as one of the coldest winters in years settled in. Friends were scarce, the days were short and gray, and sickness seemed to circle endlessly through our home. The demands of raising four energetic boys were high, but my energy was at an all-time low. I felt physically drained, emotionally weary, and increasingly isolated. As the weeks dragged on, I struggled to find purpose, motivation, or even a clear sense of who I was in this unfamiliar place.

I’m usually the person who’s positive, who sees the bright side … but I couldn’t in this season. What made it harder was comparing myself – to myself! The person I’d been just a year ago was so different than the girl I saw in the mirror.

The previous year was marked by remarkable growth and progress.

Then all of that changed. We moved to a new place. I no longer wanted to set goals, to write, and was living in (what felt like) Antarctica.

Isn’t life supposed to move up and to the right?

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It was certainly moving to the ‘right’ as time continued its relentless march forward. The “up” part seemed elusive. Why had things shifted so drastically?

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In my quest for answers and to regain a sense of equilibrium, I realized I needed to make some changes. It was time to unplug from the constant noise, to halt both the input and output, and just be. After all, we are human beings, not human doings.

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I took a break from writing and blogging. I removed Facebook and Instagram from my phone. I unsubscribed from the podcasts that left me discouraged and overwhelmed.

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Instead, I listened to positive music, I played with my boys, I prayed, read my Bible and a couple of life-giving books, and carved out time to make new friends.

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To burst out of a cold, dark winter… Into the brightness and life of spring takes a lot of SHOVELING of gray thoughts that have become a blizzard in our minds… So thick we can’t even see our hands in front of our face.

Deb Freeman

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Through this process, I learned a valuable lesson: Life doesn’t always follow a linear path. It ebbs and flows, bringing both good and challenging times. It oscillates between loneliness and fullness, happiness and sadness, ugly and beautiful.

The lows serve to deepen our appreciation for the highs.

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Life is like a book. You take it one chapter at a time. Often one page at a time or one paragraph at a time. Some paragraphs are written better than others.

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What I WANTED my life to look like was different from ‘reality.’

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My previous assessment of life was a linear progression. Growth and more growth! Life and more life! Up and further up! Add, don’t subtract.

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However, I’ve come to understand that ‘reality’ is far more complex. Life involves a series of steps forward, with occasional steps backward, sideways meanders, and even a few ‘loop-de-loops.’

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In a world characterized by constant change, I’m thankful for a God who never changes. Who’s love is always certain.

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I am deeply grateful for the nourishing wisdom found in the pages of the Bible, for the solace and inspiration that uplifting books and music provide. For the gift of prayer. My heart brims with gratitude for the friendships that have woven their way into my life and the ‘date nights’ shared with Ted. I’m grateful for the ways my boys make me laugh and how they teach me knew things. I love that nature soothes and time heals. Every day that passed made me stronger, more able to live in (and even love!) this new place.

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Look for the good, even in the dark. Once you train your eyes for little glimpses of goodness, you’ll get better at seeing them. 

Shauna Niequist

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Each of these elements brought me back to a place of joy. In the midst of this journey, I rediscovered that my truest calling was wife, mother, and cherished child of God. All other pursuits, at this moment in time, occupy the periphery.

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I am learning that seasons shift, but God’s love doesn’t. Even in the dark, He is steady, kind, and near. When we anchor ourselves in Him, we find the strength to endure and the courage to hope. If you’re walking through a heavy season, may you feel His presence holding you close.

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If you’re walking through a tough season, here are two books and two devotionals that deeply encouraged me — maybe they’ll do the same for you.

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Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole

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I opened the book and instant tears as I read:

“Have you ever moved to a new place or entered a new environment where no one knew who you were, what you could do, or what dreams ignite your soul?”

Jesus’ hidden years gave him time to grow and become. It was sacred. Time for rest. Unapplauded but not unproductive.”

The author suggests how to rest:

“Take long walks through the woods. Paint a picture no one will see. Watch the stars. Wander through an art museum. Play piano when only God can listen. Write in your journal. Plant a garden.”

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Savor the anonymous season. Respect it’s potential.

-Alicia Britt Chole

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This book was everything I needed for that season. If you are in a “new, waiting, or starting over” season – Anonymous may be the perfect book for you!

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I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working by Shauna Niequist

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This book shares Shauna’s journey back to joy in the midst of some really challenging circumstances. Here are bits of advice she gives:

Get outside and be on the lookout for beauty, especially in nature, read books for comfort. Fresh air helps everything. The world is still good, still beautiful, still interesting and worth savoring. God is still good, still faithful, still kind.

Keep walking, keep loving, keep writing, keep praying. Keep learning, keep forgiving, keep apologizing, keep moving forward. Keep inviting, keep listening, keep opening my arms to all of life.

It doesn’t help to pretend everything is okay. Tell the truth. Allow yourself to be supported by friends and family.

I’m learning home isn’t singular. You don’t lose one, instead, your world and your heart expand with each new home and new set of experiences. The old ones stay and the new ones make your heart and your world bigger.“

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I’m thankful authors who can eloquently put into words what I feel so deeply and can’t exactly articulate. They let me know I am not alone and brighter days are ahead.

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Prevail by Susie Larson

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This daily devotional is designed to guide readers through the entire Bible over the course of a year. Each entry includes a Scripture passage, insightful commentary, thought-provoking questions, and practical application steps. Here is just one powerful quote from this book

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Take Back Your Life by Levi Lusko

This is a 40-day devotional that is PACKED with goodness and EXCELLENT book to read in a challenging season. Here are two powerful quotes from the author:

• Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.
• God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!

(Books are affiliate links)

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These books brought me SO MUCH JOY as I realized I am NOT alone. Others have been through similar challenges and came out stronger. And God is always with me, cheering me on.

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How about you? What sustains you during life’s challenging moments? Where do you find hope and support? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment by clicking on the little box by the title.

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Want more?

Check out this post about how to have more JOY in your life.

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Feeling Lonely? I was too. Read this.

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