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Charles Ringma

Facing The Dark Night Of The Soul

By Charles Ringma

‘But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ 
(Luke 22:32)

When we become Christians, well all wish that life from here on will go fairly smoothly. This clearly is not always the case. Sometimes life becomes even more complicated as we go through the adjustments that being a Christian entails. These adjustments come as a result of God’s Spirit fine-turning us to live in God-honoring ways.

There are also times when God seems so distant that we doubt whether we will ever again experience His presence. This deeply troubling experience sometimes occurs when we are emotionally or physically exhausted in the midst of active ministry. We may be busy praying, preaching and helping others with equally positive results, but there may be a gnawing emptiness in our soul and a sense that God has forsaken us.