It's always darkest just before dawn

Some sayings are silly.

Some sayings are pithy.

Some sayings drip with sarcasm.

But there are a few sayings whose truth rings so clear that they cannot be denied.

This is one of those sayings.

I have heard it's ring first-hand, and continue to hear the echoes of it's truth down through the years.

It seems there is no shortage of darkness in the days in which we are living. I don't mean that in some hooky-spooky, ultra-spiritual arrogance, either... It just seems to me like everyone I know is dealing with something difficult in some area of their lives. For most people I know, it's several things in several areas of their lives.

Very little of these troubles seems to be overtly or exclusively demonic, although there's no doubt that the prince of darkness is working in the midst of these circumstances that share his title. No, it's just... Life. Life in times of trouble. They've happened before, & they'll happen again.

But even while this darkness looms foreboding over the paths we are walking, an undeniable and sharp sound blasts through the fog & illuminates hope in our hearts. If you listen, you can hear it. To be honest, its ring is so distinct that you have to tune it out if you don't want to hear it. It is the echoes of this truth returning to our circumstances & drawing our memories back to times previous when--at the edge of despair--dawn broke through the darkness.

"It's always darkest just before the dawn."

Wherever we are, no matter how dark things may seem...

"It's always darkest just before the dawn."

No matter how long the blanket of struggle has been laid heavily across our being...

"It's always darkest just before the dawn."

No matter how hopeless the darkness may seem...

"It's always darkest just before the dawn."

No matter how far away the morning seems to be...

"It's always darkest just before the dawn."

Brothers & Sister, hear me: DO NOT DESPAIR!

IT IS ALWAYS DARKEST JUST BEFORE THE DAWN!