Sifting Through The Darkness

November, the month of gratitude, is right around the corner. It’s the time of year when we collectively pause, reflect on, and express our thoughts of thanksgiving. 

There is much to be grateful for. 

Sometimes the list is like a geyser, forcefully erupting from our hearts and out of of our mouths. We see blessings everywhere we turn. All is right with the world. 

It is well with my soul. 

And sometimes finding the silver lining isn’t quite so easy. There are things to be grateful for. We see them. Deep down we know. Yet still, it’s hard to declare our gratitude when our hearts are so heavy. 

A struggling marriage. 

Divorce. 

Sickness.

Disease. 

The death of a loved one. 

The loss of a job. 

Financial strain. 

Bankruptcy. 

Infertility.

Miscarriage. 

Depression. 

Anxiety. 

Abuse.

A pandemic.

For those of you struggling today, I lift you up in prayer. I pray you are able to find the silver lining, the ray of hope, the thing to be grateful for. I pray you find a space to cry, a space to grieve, a space to pray. A space to just be.

I pray you know, truly know, that God is with you in your pain. In your suffering. In your moment of despair. 

He knows you. He is with you. He loves you. 

There is much to be grateful for, but sometimes the heaviness of the moment silences the joy that can be found in the simple things. 

A smile from a stranger. 

A hug from a loved one. 

A warm cup of coffee.

A hot bath. 

A quiet moment in nature.

A letter, a text, or a call from a friend. 

The sun shining through the clouds. 

The warmth of a fire. 

A hand reaching for yours. 

The quiet whisper of “I love you.”

I pray you can sift through the darkness and see the light. The glimmer of hope. The goodness hiding somewhere in the midst of the struggle. 

I pray God meets you where you are today. 

And if you find yourself struggling to see the silver lining, I pray that in His arms you will find peace. That you will find comfort for your pain. That you will find love.

And that there, in that space, you will find something to hold on to. 

And that there, in that space, you will find a glimmer of hope.

And that there, I that space, your heart will be filled with gratitude.

*This originally appeared on my Truly Yours, Jen – Jennifer Thompson, writer Facebook Page . Follow along for more posts like this.