Everybody has dark days from time to time. You don’t want to get out of bed. You don’t want to see anybody. You just feel like you want to throw in the towel. We all have days like this, days of disappointment, distress, doubt and depression. But we have a promise from the Lord that He will help us. Allow me to share how He has always been there for me. This is my experience.

He has encouraged me when I was disappointed.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged, he saves those who have lost all hope.” The first way God encourages us is He says, “I’m with you.” “The Lord is near” — He’s not left you. Maybe you’ve experienced a disappointing year. You didn’t get the promotion you thought you were going to get. You didn’t close the big deal you thought you were going to close. You didn’t complete the project that was delayed. Your hopes and dreams and the things you thought would happen didn’t materialize.

Where is God in all that? He’s where He’s always been. He hasn’t left us. Emmanuel — God is with us! He encourages us in disappointing times by reminding us we will never go through anything alone. He is with us. The darkest part of the night is when the light shines the brightest. He’s always with us.

He has strengthened me when I was distressed.

I have always found strength in Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) where Paul said, “I have the strength for all things in Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me.” You might want to put this verse on your refrigerator, better yet commit it to memory. I love it!

You could begin to think and then say, “I have the strength for all things, “I’m ready for anything and equal to anything.” I am competent, I am capable, and I am able to handle whatever comes my way, but not in my own power. I can only do things with the power that God puts in my life through Jesus Christ. Nothing will be able to devastate me in 2017 no matter what happens because I will face it head on. I have confidence He will be there to strengthen me in my distress.

He has and will continue to guide me when I feel doubtful.

When you feel confused, when you don’t know which way to go, read John 8:12, “Jesus said, ‘I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through darkness, for the living light will flood your path.’” It is wonderful to know that He is now the light within us that guides us in our journey. It is no longer an external light, but the internal light of His presence.

So what are you worried about? What has got you uptight? What is it that is keeping you awake at night, keeping your stomach churning? Some of you are going to have to make some major decisions very soon. I don’t know what they are, and you may not know either, but I guarantee you, you will have to make some. In Proverbs 3:5 Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

He changed me when I was depressed.

Did you know that when you get depressed, God doesn’t want to just pat you on the back and say, “Cheer up!” He wants to change you. When I would prefer that He changed my circumstances, He preferred changing me instead. In fact, He can use your moments of depression to help you learn some new attitudes, new thoughts, new approaches, and new choices. He doesn’t want to just keep you going; He wants you to change. He alone can change you and me.

Ephesians 5:9 reads, “The light produces in people all that is good and right and true.” When you allow Christ to fill your life with His Spirit, it brings out the best in you and releases the best through you.

Many of you have been going through very difficult and dark days. You don’t have to go it alone. The good news of Christmas is that through Jesus Christ, the darkness that tries to invade our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in and through our lives to others. Regardless of how you may feel or what you’re going through, He is always present to help you. What He has done for others (me) He will do for you.

Originally published at Intentional Encourager. Used by permission.