There’s no way around it. If you live on Earth, you will eventually have to face dark nights, and I’m not talking about the kind brought on by the occasional lunar eclipse or citywide blackout.
I’m talking about those midnight hours when you’re lying awake, gripped by the turmoil of troubled times and dark, unpleasant experiences.
For some, this happens after a serious life change, perhaps the death of a loved one or the sixty-to-zero slam of an unexpected diagnosis. You’re plagued with grief over your loss, you worry over what’s coming next, and you have no idea how to take the next step.
For others, dark nights happen nearly every night. While the rest of the world sleeps, you’re gripped with fear, anxiety, depression, self-hate… They never get lighter, they never go away—and daytime isn’t much better.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
What I’m about to share with you are just a few places where you can find refuge in scripture during your darkest nights—hope in times of trouble. I give them to you in part with the encouragement that you follow the link (or pull out your Bible) to see the rest.
You do not have to fight this with your own strength. Lean into the power of the one who commands the wind and the rain, and let him lead you back to the dawn of hope. I know he’ll do it.
Because I’ve been there.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
In This Article
KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Isaiah 43:1-5
At any given moment, someone else in this world struggles with the same demons as you. You are not alone in your suffering. But the real comfort comes in knowing you are not alone in your room, wherever you may be.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned… Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you…”
Psalm 23
Not only is God with you, but he has promised to stay there.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
HE MAY NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE TROUBLE AWAY…
Luke 8:22-25
“Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When we talk about anxiety, fear, and dark nights, the calming of the storm in Luke 8 is a good example of a time when Jesus used his power to remove the danger. But what about those nights when you’ve prayed, begged, and cried out, and the darkness still doesn’t subside?
That’s a part of God’s plan, too.
Acts 27-28:10
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”
In this story, Paul was aboard a ship caught up in a hurricane-force storm that lasted for days. God did not calm that storm. Instead, he had another plan for Paul and the rest of the prisoners and sailors.
He has a goal for your suffering as well—and it’s for your good.
…BUT HE WILL BRING YOU PEACE.
Philippians 4:4-9
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God may not take away your troubles, but your prayers are not in vain. He will help you through whatever it is that plagues you. That moment when you feel a sudden and inexplicable peace?
That was from God.
Philippians 4:10-13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This is the moment when that famous verse truly applies. You can make it through, but Christ is with you.
FOR HOPE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS.
Hebrews 12:1-3
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus suffered, too, in a most horrific way: He was utterly forsaken by God—something none of us has ever experienced, despite what we might think.
Consider his suffering and do not lose heart.
PRAISE HIM THROUGH YOUR PAIN.
Acts 16:16-40
Here, Paul and Silas found themselves in prison after being wrongly accused. But they didn’t sit there and complain. They worshipped God with prayers and hymns.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
If your suffering won’t go away, sing through it anyway and worship God for never leaving you.
Psalm 34
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
God promises to surround you with his protection and surveillance. That’s a reason to rejoice, as the psalmist suggests.
Romans 5:1-5
“We also glory in our sufferings…”
Your worst battle—the battle against sin and hell—has been won for you by Jesus. Rejoice in your salvation, even in the midst of a dark night.
KNOW THAT IN CHRIST, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY OVERCOME THE WORLD.
1 John 5:1-12
Turning to scripture for hope in times of trouble will help you focus on the big picture.
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
As a believer in Christ, your victory is coming. What happens on this earth will one day pass away, but you have been marked for an eternal reward.
More places to look in scripture during your darkest nights:
- Psalm 91: Find refuge in him, and he will never let you down.
- Psalm 42: God is your rock. Remind yourself of that as many times as you need to in order to impress it upon your heart.
Hang in there. Sometimes your greatest comfort comes with the knowledge that there will eventually be a true morning, a glorious dawn in which you rise to meet him.
And when that happens, your dark nights become a thing of the past.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.