“So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

My daughter was in a major car accident, and we didn’t think she would survive. But after the first 24 crucial hours, we celebrated. However, we were faced with the fear that she would never walk again, from the shattering of her pelvis. Doctors told us she was lucky to have survived a rear-end collision that severe. The fear of brain damage from her neck injury was terrifying. As she fought to regain her cognitive and motor skills that the drunk driver had taken away, she was thrown into a deep depression. During her darkness, I fought to keep myself from being pulled into her undertow. Satan wanted us both and he used many tactics to get us.

A month into her recovery, a few days before Christmas, she had a bleeding ulcer and was fighting for her life once again. On Christmas Eve, my oldest brother suffered a stroke and died a week later. Because of my daughter’s deep depression, her therapist advised us against telling her the news of her uncle’s death. So, I started living in different worlds, In the world of rehab, I stuffed my feelings, so I could remain strong for my daughter. But in my alone time, sadness and anger smothered me. However, it was the light that penetrated both worlds that saved me from the hands of Satan. Even in my anger and questioning God, I knew Jesus was listening to my cries. It was that hope, the light of Jesus Christ that penetrated both worlds and strengthened me.

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)

My daughter was in ICU for one month, and then in a rehab facility for 4 months. She had two major surgeries, two strokes and a bleeding ulcer. During her severe depression, I would tell her, the darkness is only for you to visit and receive the gifts of solitude and introspection, do not stay there.

It is hard to explain the coldness of the darkness, unless you have walked in. To me it is a place void of the light of Jesus. We want to leave it, run from it, but the force is strong. I found to survive the darkness I had to ask Jesus to join me there. Sometimes, He just sat in silence with me while I cried, other times, He sent me an encouraging Bible verse. Many times, I would hear a simple song, or a friend would stop by with a plate of cookies and a hug.

If you find yourself going to this place of depression, seek professional help. Find a Christian counselor that can guide you through the darkness. Remember the love connecting you to Jesus is an unbreakable cord, so grip it. God gives you grace to get through whatever you’re going through; let His light guide you through the darkness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

If the darkness closes in-listen to Christian music, praise God for the creation that surrounds you, the moon, the stars, a blooming plant. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help, submit your prayer request, prayer warriors are waiting. Read the Bible aloud, my daughter focused on the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 6:34 “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. “You must believe the words of Jesus, “Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24NIV) Learn to recognize God’s voice and rebuke Satan’s lies. Satan will tell you, you aren’t loved, but God shows you his love in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Satan will whisper you aren’t worthy and don’t have a future, however God says, in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” After you have stepped from the darkness, join others in their journey and lead them to the light of Jesus Christ. Smile at strangers. If you have a friend who is walking in the dark, support them, don’t push them. Encourage them to seek professional help. Pray for them, but please do not ask them to just snap out of it.

Perhaps we can bring light in someone’s life today.

For more encouragement, check these out: Ephesians 1:7, Galatians 4:6, Psalm34:18-19, Psalm 40:1-3, Psalm 3:3

Bobbie Bomar Brown Author of The Unbreakable Cord