Darkness Before The Dawn

"For the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me". 
-Job 3:25

  Have you ever had a dark time in your life? I'm referring to a time when it seems that all that could go wrong does go wrong despite how much you pray.  Even the very things that you have feared happening actually do happen; and seemingly all at once.  When these times occur in our lives, (and they will come), our initial thought is to rigorously examine our own life.  You ask yourself "What could I possibly have done to bring such calamities into my life"? And soon you begin to scrutinize every move you've made in the last few days/weeks/ months.

  Very soon, the enemy will come in the form of doubt, self-pity, anger, fear, defeat, loneliness, confusion, rejection and self-condemnation.  Depending on the time of the day your thoughts could easily fluctuate between pressing through the situation and giving in.  It's not an easy place to be; in fact, it's sometimes so unbearable that your very breath feels as if it will be your last.  

  After hearing of several deaths of people she knew or who were close associations of other friends and family, my granddaughter remarked "I don't like this year. There are too many deaths".  She called it "A Haunted Year". 

  I personally believe in prayer.  For years I have witnessed the unrestricted and boundless power of my own prayers and many of my sincere and imperfect friends.  (I say "imperfect" because I try my best to only associate with "real" people; those who know of their imperfections but do not let them stand in the way of sincerely loving others, showing true empathy, are never judgmental and who have the most astonishing sense of loyalty, friendship and understanding.  These friends are not religious in any fanatical sense and they always seem to have the ability to love people when others have turned away. 

  If I were to divulge a brief synopsis of my own life it would include many of the things mentioned above. I have seen and felt dark days and gut-wrenching pain brought on by false associations and those with the express knack for usury; both mental and physical.  But I have not been drowned.  When my soul had become overwhelmed God reached out his hand to me; often in the form of one or more of those wonderful people I call FRIEND.

  Today, I wish only to encourage you to hold on throughout your storm, your test, your trial.  "Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you". (James 4:7).  People will attempt to make you believe that there are no true friends left in this mean world.  I tell you the truth when I say that God has 7,000 who has not bowed down to the devil. (Romans 11:4).

  Love deeply.
  I love you all,
  Dennis