There’s dark and then there’s really, really dark.

The first time I experienced complete, total darkness was inside Marvel Cave, a huge cave not too far from our little town.

The cave is enormous (they’ve even flown an air balloon inside it!) and takes quite some time to walk through. Hundreds of stairs lead down the main cavern, and a pathway winds its way further down into smaller areas of the cave. It’s damp, gloomy, and of course—inhabited by bats. 🙂 But the spectacular formations are well worth the hour-long walk.

Once you reach the innermost “room” of the cave, the tour guide always does the same thing.

Of course, he gives you a warning, but you’re never quite prepared for it.

He hits the power and turns off every single light.

The darkness is so thick you can feel it.

You can’t see the tour guide. You can’t see the person standing next to you. You can’t see your hand in front of your face.

Eyes open or shut, it’s the same—just total darkness.

It’s a very vulnerable feeling.

You know, there are times when our walk of faith is similar—full of darkness.

There are those who say the Christian life is always full of light, and a child of God never has times of confusion.

But I beg to differ.

Aside from my personal experience with dark times and confusion, there’s Biblical evidence showing we will have times of darkness in our lives.

“Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” (Isaiah 50:10)

Did you catch that? Who is experiencing darkness?

The one that is fearing the Lord and living in a place of obedience. In other words, the one who is doing the right thing. 

Take comfort in the fact that just because you are in a dark place doesn’t necessarily mean you are sinning, or out of God’s will. You may be exactly where He wants you, and still going through a hard time.

Let’s take another look at that verse, for the second part holds the key to getting through the dark.

“…let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” (Isaiah 50:10b)

Did you catch that? Let him trust.

It’s exactly like standing in the inky blackness of Marvel Cave, without so much as a pinprick of light piercing the darkness.

You have exactly one option:

Trust the tour guide to illuminate the cavern and lead you out.

My friend, God’s hand is on the light switch. He has the power to flood the darkness in your life with light.

When the time is right, He will deliver you.

Until then, keep trusting Him in the dark.

You may not be able to see, but He can. And He will never leave you.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth,; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)