Life's Darkest Moments

​It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.

It is often in our darkest hour that the light of God's presence shines the brightest. God offers His presence to us in life's darkest moments, enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. Crying out for help from others and from God, may be the strongest moment of our lives. I would like to share a daily devotional from the book, Our Daily Bread.

Charles Whittlesey was a hero's hero. Leader of the so-called "Lost Battalion" in World War I, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery when his unit was trapped behind enemy lines. When the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated, Charles was chosen to serve as pallbearer for the first soldier laid to rest there. Two week later, it is presumed that he ended his own life by stepping off a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.

Like Elijah, Charles was publicly strong, but in the quiet, post-public moments, his feelings of despair set in. People today frequently face situations bigger than they can handle. Sometimes it's temporary despair brought on by fatigue, as in Elijah's case. He had been part of a great victory over the prophets of Baal, but then he feared for his life and ran into the wilderness. But often, it's more than despair and it's more than temporary. 

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That's why it is imperative that we talk about depression openly and compassionately.

Father, grant us the candor to admit to each other that sometimes life overwhelm us. And grant us the courage to help others find help and to seek it when we need it.

Hope comes with help from God and others.