By: Sister Shirley Tarpley, NDG Religion Editor
God told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you;” From the wilderness and this Lebanon . . . all the land of the Hittites, . . . shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage,” Joshua 1:4-6
Joshua had his doubts, he was in a place of total nothingness, it is called a “black hole” it is a dark and seemingly inescapable state or situation. It’s a time in our lives when God removes the resources and supports that we normally rely on to feel secure – our careers, finances, friends, family, health and so forth. It is a preparation time, when you find yourself in a place of total nothing (black hole) experience, don’t just sit and brood. Take stock of your life. Take a look at your relationship with God.
First, ask God if there are sins, habits, or attitudes that He might be judging in your life. It’s important to discern whether the trial we face is the result of God’s discipline for your sin or, if it is preparing us for a future leadership role.
Second, when you enter a black hole, don’t trust your feelings. Trust God. Your feelings will tell you, “God has rejected you. Abandon hope. He has left you utterly alone.” Feelings change; God never changes. Feelings come and go; God is always with us. Third, remember that your black hole experience is not only intended to refine and define you; it’s also intended to influence and change the lives of hundreds or even thousands of other people. Our adversity is not just for us, but others in our sphere of influence.
Fourth, don’t try to hurry the black hole process along. Remember, when Joseph was in the depths of the pit, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn’t climb out, jump out, levitate out, or talk his way out. All he could do was pray and wait upon the Lord. Fifth, lean on God. The Red Sea Rule #4 says, even when you don’t feel like praying, “pray.” Even when you don’t feel like reading His Word, read. Even when you don’t feel like singing songs of faith, sing. When you pray, don’t just talk; listen. Be silent before Him and listen for His still, quiet voice.
Sixth, be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During a black hole experience, God often leads us to amazing new discoveries. A black hole can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.
Put your hope in God’s unfailing love. Acknowledge that God is the source of all that you are. He gives you the ability to work, plan, and execute. Ask God for help to keep your mind on God’s power and abilities, not your abilities.
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