What do you do when your vision goes dark?

 I love the English language, words with multiple meanings. When we think about vision, we usually think about the ability to see. The title came to me after my panic attack in Pigeon Forge when my physical vision went totally black. I'm used to my vision darkening when I change lighting situations. However, it had never gone to total darkness.

Yes, I panicked in a big way. Thank the Lord, a friend was with me and steered me to a seat. After 45 minutes, I was able to go back to my new normal. After I sat still and reoriented myself, I thought about the importance of having friends (and family) to rely on in times of need, in times of joy, in times of sorrow, basically at all times. 

I thought I was prepared for the darkness to come. Ha, I was sooo wrong. We think we are prepared for changes in our lives good and bad. But...what happens when the vision you have for your life, for your family, for your career, for your church doesn't happen how you thought it should? Where do you turn? Where do you go? Where do you run? Unfortunately for some---where do you hide?

Psalm 139:7-12

 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Sometimes, when life gets overwhelming, we want to run and hide. Run from the problems. Run from the pain. Run from our family and friends. This scripture lets us know that we can run, but we will never be able to hide from our heavenly Father. 

Instead of running away....run to the Father. Run to your family. Run to your small group. Run to Church. 

During the Women of Joy conference this year, the focus was on community of believers, a biblical community (BC). A BC is not what we have in common, but WHO we have in common. Far too often, we are ashamed to tell our stories, our problems, our concerns, our doubts, our fears... Yet, we all have them. they may not look the same or feel the same, but they exist.

It was my BC, an awesome group of ladies, who helped me get through my panic attack last week. It was a new friend in my BC who on the drive home listened to my fear, my anxiety, and my sorrow about the ongoing loss of my vision without condemnation or pity. 

Making connections is what we can do when our visions change, when we feel like running and hiding. There is strength and power in numbers. There is power in prayer. Even if you are not ready to reach out, REMEMBER, when CHRIST is your SAVIOR, you are NEVER alone. 


Cody Carnes: Ru to the Father: https://youtu.be/HTHS4W1bPj8?si=7OdIiSBby66rPeAs




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