October 2020 - His light shines through!

Every day, I hear stories of hopelessness and abuse, and I find myself becoming more and more discouraged yet determined. I’m always praying for ways to bring hope to women who are facing the pain and brokenness of living with violence. 

Recently, as I sat down in my favorite chair on the beach very early in the morning and waited, hoping to witness God’s power in the sunrise, I realized there were only dark clouds on the horizon. I doubted that the conditions would change in this sunrise and allow an opportunity to see God’s light for a new day. 

My heart became very heavy, and I just wanted to leave and go about my tasks for the day. Yet I didn’t want to miss a message of hope God may have had for me that morning. I waited and watched and waited some more. It seemed like forever, and I was seeing the clouds and sky only grow darker in front of me. 

Frustrated, I stood up and began to walk away from finding hope in the darkness and instead made up my mind to just deal with the discouragement in my heart. Then suddenly, I noticed a very small glimmer of light shining through the top of the dark clouds. 

I realized the light was there all along but just covered by the darkness. In the minutes ahead, the light became brighter and brighter as I began to weep and praise God for his faithfulness and grace, yet I was saddened at my lack of patience and belief. 

In my counseling over the years, I have encouraged women to wait and believe that God is there in the midst of our dark days and difficult struggles. He is doing something new even when we do not see his work. However, there are times when we may already know the truth, but God still has a way of revealing his love to us again and again – through creation, the Bible, his people – as we are losing our hope.  

This darkness is something women face on a daily basis when they are being bullied, verbally abused, manipulated or even beaten. Violence against women is never something we should overlook or support. God hates an angry man, and if we keep rescuing those who are hurting us and keeping us from being all that God wants us to be, we will have to do it over and over again (Prov. 19:19).  

I know it is hard, but you can break the cycle. His light is there to shine through, even though the darkness seems to last for days, months or even years. Pray for courage to tell someone what you are going through. Contact us at TWR Women of Hope, and we will help you get connected with someone who can help you.  

There is hope! There is a light of truth inside you. You are special to God, and you most definitely matter to God and to the world we live in.  

You are not alone!