It is just at that time that one needs to turn to Jesus, the one and only Light of the world, and the only rescue for those in darkness of pain and despair. When one passes through those times of pain which wring the heart, one is called NOT to breakdown but to break through.
Just as there is a sound barrier, so there is a kind of praise barrier, and one breaks through the darkness by offering praise to God. Praise at such times is not offered as the fruit of a contented and happy mood. Such praise is not the result of a feeling. It is offered in the teeth of feelings of pain, and in spite of emotional numbness which such feelings of pain can bring.
Such praise is offered to God as a pure act of obedience, as a naked act of the will. It comes from a place deep down, from the heart which lives beneath the daily swirl of feelings. Such acts of praise are acts of defiance, through which we DEFY the darkness, and confess our faith in God who lives above this vale of tears and who calls us to Him.
"Out of the depths of darkness and despair I cry to You, O Lord, You that hung upon the Cross in darkness. From the pit of pain and confusion, I lift up this prayer, and with all my heart I sing aloud to YOU:
Jesus, LIGHT to those in darkness, GLORY TO YOU!
Dear Vasiliki,
ReplyDeleteI sense some emotional pain in your words here. I hope the Lord gives you the strength and patience to overcome these difficulties.A verse that I find comfort in is this: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
May the Lord give us all rest!
Haha, thank you for your care! These are words from the Akathist Hymn to Jesus, the Light of those in darkness. That is precisely what the words are supposed to describe, Glory to God even in the midsts of pain.
ReplyDeleteVasiliki