The Dark Night of the Soul

Oh, the dark night of the soul,

when we hang our harps upon the willows

and find comfort only in the Lord!

Separation is sorrowful.

Who of us haven't grieved the loss of a loved one,

nor felt its sorrow

having wept in each other's arms

no longer to enjoy the loving friendship

and companions forever,

to help us through the hardships of life?

Many are passing through the valley as you read this.

You can relate, having lost a companion yourself

and are now experiencing the heartache of separation,

wondering how you will cope with the lonely hours ahead.

We feel its worthlessness in our hearts,

when a loved one is taken from us.

Being taken from you for a short time

in presence, not in heart...

We are homesick for heaven

and anticipate the reunion of our loved ones

as we long for a better place.

The familiar was so comforting.

It's never easy to let go.

For they are the crutches that have held us up,

the places that have given us comfort,

the visits that have given us joy.

We hold on to what is precious

till it's taken from us

often with deep anguish of soul.

Sometimes its sadness washes over us

like ocean waves crashing over our soul.

We shield ourselves from its pain,

finding shelter under the wings of the Lord.

We'd lose ourselves in the valley of grief

if it were not for the hand of our Shepherd

to guide us through the long and lonely nights.

In the dark night of the soul He is our Comforter

a Loving Presence who shares in our pain and in our suffering.

With each tear that falls, it nudges us homeward towards heaven,

where no death, nor sorrow, nor tear shall fall.

Weeping may last for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.

He carries us in our moments of deepest pain.

Through teary eyes we anticipate our joyful reunion

when we will be with our loved ones in the Lord.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air:

and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

       ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

At times the anguish of your soul will move you to tears,

but take heart, we're not home yet.

The longing of your heart will only deepen

your relationship with the Lord.

That would not have been possible

had you not walked through the valley of grief.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

                    ~ Matthew 5:4

May the Lord bless you and keep you

all the days of the rest of your life,

until you are in the presence of the Lord in heaven.

Dear Soul,

Do you have the assurance that if you were to die today

you'll be in the presence of the Lord in heaven?

Death for a believer is but a doorway that opens into eternal life.

Those who fall asleep in Jesus

will be reunited with their loved ones in heaven.

Those you've laid in the grave in tears,

you shall meet them again with joy!

Oh, to see their smile and feel their touch...

never to part again!

Yet, if you don't believe in the Lord, you're going to hell.

There is no pleasant way to say it.

The Scripture says,

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

                                                                                      ~ Romans 3:23

 

" That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved."

               ~ Romans 10:9

 

Don't fall asleep without Jesus

until you are assured of a place in heaven.

Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life

first you must believe in the Lord.

You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven

and put your trust in the Lord.

There's only one way to heaven and that's through the Lord Jesus.

That's God's wonderful plan of salvation.

You can begin a personal relationship with Him

by praying from your heart a prayer such as the following:

"Oh God, I'm a sinner.

I've been a sinner all of my life.

Forgive me, Lord.

I receive Jesus as my Savior.

I trust Him as my Lord.

Thank you for saving me.

In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you have received the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior

after reading this invitation, please let us know.

We would love to hear from you. Your first name is sufficient.

"Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved"

              ~ Acts 2:21b