Although guest blogger Judy Patrick has been a pastor’s wife for over 35, she knows that darkness can invade your life and ministry. Read her experience here and see how she found God in that darkness.
After the birth of my last child, I experienced unimaginable depression and anxiety. Panic attacks occurred daily. Nighttime became an opportunity to escape life by sleeping, however, sleep did not come easy.
Yet, in the midst of my agonizing experience, I sensed God’s presence. A supportive husband gave me acceptance and love. A Christian counselor helped me recover.
God taught me that He works in all circumstances for my good (Romans 8:28). Another favorite passage became 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 —God comforts us so we can comfort others. I walked through the darkness over thirty years ago. Since then, God has used me to comfort hurting people.
“. . . .Moses entered into the deep darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:21 NLT)
The people were afraid to experience God in the darkness. Moses, however, found opportunity to grow in his relationship with God. He had an intimate relationship with God while in the darkness. It became his resting place.
It’s easy to believe God’s presence in the sunshine of our lives. Finding God in the darkness is a challenge. I found God in the darkness. He is faithful to comfort, teach, and carry His children through the darkness. We can trust God to be in the “deep darkness” of our lives.
How are you finding God in the deep darkness? He IS there!
Judy Patterson is the Women’s Ministry Director for the Beauregard Baptist Association in DeRidder, LA. Judy earned her D.Ed.Min degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary specializing in Women’s Ministry and Counseling. She teaches Women’s Ministry and New Testament classes for the University of Mobile and the Baptist College of Florida. Additionally, Judy supports her husband, Dr. Tim Patrick, who serves as a Director of Missions and leads a ministry to ministers and their wives called The Shepherds Connection. The Shepherds Connection ministry supports ministers and their wives through resources, retreats, and confirmation.
Judy has been a pastor’s wife for thirty-five years. She has been involved in Women’s Ministry over twenty-five years. Judy has served as Women’s Ministry Director on the local church and associational levels and has served Alabama and Louisiana state Woman’s Missionary Union/Women’s Ministry. Judy has two grown sons and two grandchildren with another grandchild on the way.