Recall the times in your life when it seemed as if nothing good was working for you.

Recall when you had a child prematurely and unintentionally; people made assumptions and began giving you the speech. You know the one that begins with: “Well…”

…well, you will have to grow up now.

…well, you will have get a job or government assistance.

…well, you will have to put your dreams aside and take care of this baby.

It seemed as if everyone counted you out but the situation gave you the tenacity to prove that your circumstances would not dictate your success. You survived.

Recall when you repeatedly fell in the same vicious cycle of hurt with that man. The more your family and friends warned you about him, the more you pushed away from then but closer to him. Then your eyes came open to your own worth and you severed the ties to a relationship that you could never see ending. You persevered.

Remember how you would fall asleep in class, skip school, and play video games all day? Many said that you would never amount to anything. But SOMEHOW, you went back to school and received your degree. You endured.

Recall not having your dad in your life, as I did not, not understanding why. You resolved not to enter a relationship where a man would abandon his family. Or you decided to not be the one who would do the abandoning. You carried on.

Sometimes we need a reminder of the progress we have made. Stop comparing yourself to others and their status. Stop comparing your present condition to where you think you should be. You’ll get there; and when you arrive, you’ll appreciate the journey.

Do not despise the darkness. There are beautiful- untold stories in our darkest moments in life. It is in those moments that we learn to fall into the arms of Jesus, trust His guidance, and learn the purpose that God has placed within us.

• In the darkness is where we find comfort.
• In the darkness is where we find strength.
• In the darkness is where we lose fear and obtain faith.

The word of God describes it like this:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬