The Valley. Part I: Silence
Life can be draining; circumstances, intimidating; and fears, overwhelming.
For the past five weeks or so, God has thrown a whole lot o' trials my way. Some are more obvious than others, but the point being that each has definitely taken its toll on my spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. It became quite apparent about a week ago that I was intensely struggling in some of life's fiercest storms and desperately entangled with sin that I just couldn't seem to overcome on my own. And I couldn't (not in my own power, that is). I began to despair; desperately trying to find answers to impossible questions and wearing myself out to the point of total and utter exhaustion (just ask the Paasch's).
During this entire ordeal, I kept coming back to a fundamental question: "What can you do when what you feel begins to trump everything you've ever known; when the shroud of darkness begins to envelope your soul; when hope doesn't just seem remote or distant, but completely and utterly removed?" I couldn't help but scream inside, "Oh, God! Where are You?" David's bitterly honest words echoed the plea of my own stormy soul:
For the past five weeks or so, God has thrown a whole lot o' trials my way. Some are more obvious than others, but the point being that each has definitely taken its toll on my spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. It became quite apparent about a week ago that I was intensely struggling in some of life's fiercest storms and desperately entangled with sin that I just couldn't seem to overcome on my own. And I couldn't (not in my own power, that is). I began to despair; desperately trying to find answers to impossible questions and wearing myself out to the point of total and utter exhaustion (just ask the Paasch's).
During this entire ordeal, I kept coming back to a fundamental question: "What can you do when what you feel begins to trump everything you've ever known; when the shroud of darkness begins to envelope your soul; when hope doesn't just seem remote or distant, but completely and utterly removed?" I couldn't help but scream inside, "Oh, God! Where are You?" David's bitterly honest words echoed the plea of my own stormy soul:
"To You, O Lord, I called
And to the Lord I made my supplication:
'What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;
O Lord, be my helper!'" (Psalm 30:8-10 emphasis mine)
Lyricist Dan Haseltin wrote these haunting words:
Take,
take 'til there's nothing
nothing to turn to
nothing when You get through
won't You break
scatter pieces of all
I've been
bowing to all I've been
running to.
where are You?
Did you leave me unbreakable?
leave me frozen?
I've never felt so cold
I thought You were silent
I thought You left me
for the wreckage and the waste
on an empty beach of faith
was it
true?
where are You?Scream
deeper, I wanna scream
I want You to hear me
I want You to find me
I, I want to believe
but all I pray is wrong
and all I claim is gonewell, I, I got a questionyeah, I got a questionwhere are You?
![The Journey[Man]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZPazi3rswD412kr4th-pnQDZ_GQoYX_5beOOO16V85j1qRkPWrSJkIOZHUiIsCSqvhF3aiV-QlHBR1Sm2DYEzQHkzuBnknvO2-JGZhpx2bR-Y-qHb7CSA5dSIOalaWzHv4J59w/s1600-r/IMG_1462.jpg)
6 comments:
Hey John,
Thanks for sharing brother, and I want you to know that I'm here for you! I hate the valleys but they do remind me to be thankful for the hilltops. When I get down, my absolute favorite source of strength is Psalm 103! What a joy to know that God is merciful and gracious and that he will not deal with us according to our iniquities, but he will forgive us and cast our sin as far as the east is from the west. This is a Psalm that I read over and over again because my heart is "prone to wander" it is "prone to leave the God I love." I have to proclaim to God "here's my heart Lord take and seal it, seal if for thy courts above." Another verse that is extremely encouraging comes from Proverbs 24:16 which says that though a righteous man falls 7 times, he rises again. Praise God that he carries us and preserves us through every trial. You will be surprised at how God will use these last 5 weeks to allow you to relate and encourage others who will go through some of the same situations.
A poem in response to this entry is called "Footprints." The conclusion to the poem is that in the hardest times of struggle, that is when God carries us. Also, in response to the question, "where are you," the answer is found in Hebrews 13:5 ". . . I will never leave you nor forsake you."
John -
You've been in my prayers lately man. I know you are extremely extremely busy with school, work and somewhere maintaining a life in there. On top of that you've been able to make some wise decisions about your future, all glory to our God.
I also know exactly what you mean about not being able to overcome sin on your own. Been there many times. Isn't the Psalter wonderful for times like that? David is so honest, so real before His Maker.
Anywho, know that I'm praying for you, and hope things settle down in your life soon, Lw =)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen
Your fellow bond-servant in Christ,
Case
yea, how many parts are in this series? and should we expect updates sooner rather than later? =)
Hey John,
Yeah, I've totally been there too. It's a difficult place to be in but, God is always faithful to bring you through it. I was also really encouraged by the Jars of Clay song! That's awesome! See you, John!
NEWS UPDATE! I received the official word last night from the Chief Justice, Judge Roberts, that there is at least Part II of this blog series. Just thought you people might like to know that *innocent smile*
rofl!!!
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