I had not planned to post again until the new year, but here are some thoughts to share with you today. I shared them on my FB page and if you don’t follow me on socials go do that and come back. (If the social buttons are not showing up just below this in my emails, search Encouragement in Daily on your social platform.)
If you’ve followed me long, you know I get hard. I get dark. I get this season is not always the most merry despite what all the Hallmark movies tell you. And you can count on me to always keep it real and honest, right?!
Here’s a reminder that in the dark, and in the hard it’s OK to grieve and cry, and feel all the feelings while holding onto the hope of Jesus. And if you don’t know, Jesus, read about how you can here!
I hope this message gives you hope this season.
Winter solstice used to be my least favorite day of the year. It has the least amount of daylight and things just feel heavier on that day you know?
But through the past few years, God has really reshaped my thinking. While that may be the shortest amount of daylight on that day, every day after we get 1 to 2 more minutes of light each day. It’s not very noticeable at first. Then one day the light just kind of breaks through. There’s more sunlight and sunlight is good for our mood. So things don’t feel quite as heavy.
Life is like that too. Whatever season you’re in, whatever darkness, heaviness, struggle, that you are feeling right now, it won’t last. I promise. I’ve been in the really dark seasons, and here’s what I know. There is always light up ahead when you know Jesus. Because even if things don’t get better here on earth, we have an eternity in heaven to look forward to. And that is the light breaking through. That is what brings us hope.
I know in the dark seasons I have been in, I couldn’t see it. It was such a slow and steady move back into the light of seeing the hope that I just had to hold on for dear life. I had to hold onto my life verse which is 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
And while I held onto that, I still grieved and cried, but it was in those places that God met me. So I want to encourage you today, whatever hard season you are in -just hold on. There is light up ahead. Winter will not last forever.
(C) 2025 All Rights Reserved. Susan M. Clabaugh with Encouragement in Daily Living LLC
Susan is an author and speaker who loves to share her journey of God’s redemption and encourage others as they look to God. As a former elementary teacher with a passion for teaching, Susan also owns her own tutoring and consulting business where she empowers students and parents in reading. She lives in Missouri with her adorable and grumpy Persian cat.
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