Scripture in Moments of Darkness

Scripture has this beautiful and unique ability to lift your soul in a way that few things can.

We all experience them, moments of sadness, depression, negativity, despair. Some experience it more than others, some may experience it for longer time periods than others, but we have all experienced it at some point or another in our lives. Where do you turn?

Some turn to alcohol, some to drugs, some to sex, some to medication, some to therapy, some bury it away, some make it their entire personality (but that’s a topic for another day), some turn to God. That last option sounds simple to some and maybe like a tactic of avoidance to others, but what I’ve come to realize in my own life, it is the only choice I have.

When I have experienced those moments of darkness as I am calling them here, I have found a few things that help (get some extra sleep, make sure to keep eating and drinking water, take a shower every day, etc.), but most importantly: read/listen to a lot of Scripture. And I mean, a lot. There have been times when I have opened the Bible app on my phone, clicked the play button, and listened chapters, sometimes five, ten, fifteen, of a book in the Bible, usually Psalms, but New Testament or Old, there is something about Scripture that clears the mind of the dark fog. Scripture has this beautiful and unique ability to lift your soul in a way that few things can.

Now, I’m not saying if you are depressed or dealing with negative thoughts or anything similar that reading a few Bible verses is going to fix everything and bang boom, you’re cured! But I know for a fact, it does help in ways that few other things can. Below are some verses I always have “ready to go” when those moments hit me.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:7-8

Turning to God in your times of despair will never be a bad choice, and there are plenty of other ways that also help us do that: prayer, worship music and hymns, conversations with other believers. But there is something specifically powerful in the eternal words of the Bible. It is truth, it is our standard, it is our guide, it reveals God and His will for us. Lean on that today.

Whatever you may be facing, remember your Bible and the powerful sword that it is for any who believe.

Blessings,

Abby