Trusting That beyond the Darkest Hours Is the Light Hoped For
Dealing with our deepest fears, doubts, and worries in the darkest hours of our life
Being soaked in the darkest hours of the night (no electricity, electronic and luminous devices, and flashlight) and being the only one awake at night can get scary. Suddenly, certain night sounds become more audible and the imagination begins to conjure a certain presence—the unknown, which triggers our deepest fears. The heart’s beating gets louder. Immediately seeking refuge beneath the blanket, with eyes closed—forcing oneself to go to sleep, uttering a prayer that next time the eyes open, the morning light hoped for would fill the place.
In the eyes of a child, some of the scenarios that relate to the darkest hours include the following:
Growing pains. In the process of growing up, we experience some darkest hours. These are times when some difficult tasks present themselves and you just don’t get it the first time, like being deposited in kindergarten on the first day of class. It can be difficult to feel left alone and be with strangers and be the last to be fetched. The waiting time can be the darkest hours. Doubts can creep in, hunger pangs strike, and the question, Have they forgotten about you? Then tears start to trickle. But when friendships are formed, waiting time transforms into playtime.
Acquiring transferable skills. In school, multiple psychomotor skills are taught. Learning to write the capitals and lowercases within acceptable form can be a difficult task. Nobody else can do it for you. It is a solitary task that requires full attention and concentration to spell words right, generate grammatically correct sentences, and compose a well-developed paragraph. When examinations take place, the preparation, actual test, and waiting for results can be the darkest hours, especially with a competitive spirit and a goal to be on top of the list.
Conflicts. When there are fights at home or in school and people take a long time to resolve their conflict, the joys of family and friendship are lost. Learning how to sustain healthy interactions sometimes happens only when negative experiences arise. It would take humility, openness to understanding, and valuing the other person to restore interaction, which is the light hoped for.
Tough times. During periods of financial setback, cutting down on expenses also means experiencing considerable discomfort. At a time when so many inventions and the latest models only last for a few months to a year, overcoming envy, jealousy, and vanity is called for when others are able to have what we cannot have at the moment.
Change in address. A great flood, tornado, or a long dry season can take place. It can cause destruction of houses and closure of businesses. Starting from scratch, asking for help, receiving aid, valuing prayers, times of family devotion, cooperation, and quality service can pull you through.
Therefore, in life, the darkest hours are challenges that push us to maturity (the light hoped for), which would help us delight and savor life better.
If you could add to this list of darkest-hours experiences or would like to get acquainted with Icy the Iceberg, who also had his share of the darkest hours, please visit www.larryfriendbooks.com.
O’Grady, Patty. 2015. “7 Habits of Happy Children: The positive psychology leader in me.” Psychology Today (blog). June 4, 2015. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positive-psychology-in-the-classroom/201506/7-habits-happy-children