Pitch-Black: Finding Light in the Dark

“O Lord, give me understanding according to your word!”

— Psalm 119:169 (ESV)

It was late at night, and I was determined to get ahead of the next day’s to-do list by

ironing a shirt. But the moment I plugged in the iron, everything around me was

swallowed by darkness. The fuse had blown, leaving our entire bedroom in pitch-black silence.

My first thought? Well, that’s what I get for ironing.

But my second thought came as I stood frozen, taking in the sheer depth of the darkness around me. With every trace of light suddenly extinguished, I felt momentarily disoriented. Then, as I willed myself to take slow, steady steps toward our closed bedroom door, I realized something profound—because I had spent countless hours in my bedroom with the lights on, I knew how to navigate my way out when everything went dark. I didn’t need to see the furniture to know where it was. The layout was chiseled into my mind. Even in total blackness, I knew which way to go.

The Darkness of Uncertainty

Life often brings moments that feel just like that pitch-black room—seasons where all the light seems to vanish in an instant. Perhaps it’s the unexpected loss of a job, a diagnosis that changes everything, a broken relationship, or a season of spiritual dryness that makes you question God’s direction. These moments can be disorienting, making it hard to see a way forward.

But just as I found my way through the dark by relying on what I had learned in the light, the same is true spiritually. When we spend time in God’s Word, we are preparing ourselves for the dark seasons that will inevitably come. The truth we have stored up in our hearts acts as a guide when everything around us feels uncertain.

Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The lamp may not illuminate the entire journey at once, but it gives just enough light for the next step.

The Importance of Storing Up God’s Word

When difficulties arise, we often long for immediate clarity. We want a floodlight to show us the entire path ahead. But God, in His wisdom, often gives us just enough light for one step at a time. And that light comes from knowing His Word.

If we haven’t been spending time in Scripture, we may find ourselves fumbling in the dark, unsure of which way to go. But if we have been immersing ourselves in God’s truth—meditating on it, memorizing it, letting it take root in our hearts—then even in the darkest moments, we will have direction.

Think about it: when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded to every temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). He didn’t search for answers in the moment; He already had God’s truth stored in His heart. That same principle applies to us. When life’s fuse blows and darkness surrounds us, we don’t have to panic. We can take slow, steady steps, trusting that the Word we have hidden in our hearts will lead us out.

A Call to Remember

What Scripture has God used to guide you through a difficult time? Maybe it was a verse that reassured you of His presence in a season of loneliness. Perhaps it was a promise that reminded you of His faithfulness when everything felt uncertain.

Take a moment to reflect:

 • What verse has been a guiding light in your life?

 • How did God use that Scripture to direct your steps?

 • How can you be more intentional about storing up His Word in your heart?

If you’re in a season of light right now, use this time to strengthen your foundation. Fill your heart and mind with God’s truth so that when darkness comes, you’ll already knowthe way out. And if you find yourself in a season of darkness, take that next step in faith—God’s Word will be the lamp that leads you forward.

Consider This. Reflect on a Scripture passage God gave you to help you in or out of a situation. In hindsight, how did that verse shed much-needed light on that situation or decision? Thank God for that today.

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Pitch Black: Finding Light in the Dark