Last year I spent a week in Norway during the summer – it was a week without darkness! It was only after travelling South, back to the UK, that the nights became dark once again.  Today, here in the UK at the end of November, the sun will set before 4pm, as the autumnal streets become dark, cold and mostly empty. Yet it’s at this time of year that we can look forward with hope. Very soon Christmas lights will appear in windows and trees, pushing back the darkness. Then just before Christmas Eve, darkness will truly begin to lose its grip, as the nights begin to shorten and the days grow longer. It will happen slowly at first, but it will happen. And not only that, but a brand new year will be on its way. 2020 will soon arrive to give us all the opportunity of a fresh start.

Of course, it’s not always that simple. Many are struggling through life, whether living on benefits, caring for a loved one, dealing with an addiction or nursing a broken heart, and we mustn’t forget the bereaved and injured from yesterday’s terror attacks in London and The Hague, as well as those suffering because of hostilities across the world. Maybe you too are finding life difficult today? If so, think about these words from the author Paulo Coelho:

“Always remember the proverb: “This too shall pass.” Your negative feelings won’t last forever, there’s a light at the end of every tunnel. It might not happen today or tomorrow, but you’ll feel better eventually.”

Very rarely will one’s trouble’s last for ever, especially if we commit ourselves and our situation into the hands of our loving Creator. Invite Him into your situation, commit your future to Him. Just as the darkness of winter will be pushed back as we move eventually into 2020, the ancient scriptures promise that the spiritual darkness, that so clouds our world, will also be brought to an end one day, and that freedom, happiness and healing will indeed come:

“But, for my followers, goodness will shine on you like the rising sun. And it will bring healing power like the sun’s rays. You will be free and happy, like calves freed from their stalls.”
Malachi 4:2 (ERV)

May the darkness of winter make way for the healing power of God’s love to be poured into your heart.