When God Speaks in the Darkness

 

“Some seasons teach us to celebrate, others teach us to endure—but every season is preparing us for the growth God has ahead.” — Ali Sabino 

There are seasons when life doesn’t make sense.

Seasons when someone you trusted reveals a side of themselves you never imagined existed. Seasons that leave you questioning what happened, searching for answers, and carrying a hurt you never expected.

I’ve been walking through one of those seasons.

I’ve prayed over their intentions. I’ve prayed over my own heart. I’ve asked God to help me understand not only what happened, but how He wants me to respond.

The beautiful thing about our God is that He doesn’t leave us to figure it out alone.

I’ve never heard His voice audibly, but I have learned to recognize the countless ways He speaks. Sometimes it’s a Bible verse that seems to leap off the page. Sometimes it’s a devotional that answers the very question I’ve been asking. Sometimes it’s an unexpected text or phone call from someone I haven’t heard from in months, reaching out “just because.”

To the world, those moments may seem like coincidence.

To me, they’re reminders that my Father sees me.

Over and over, He has gently whispered the same truth to my heart:

“You are not responsible for the choices of others.”

I cannot control how someone behaves, how they manipulate a situation, or whether they choose honesty or deception. I cannot carry responsibility for someone else’s heart.

What I am responsible for is my own.

And if I’m being transparent, my response to the lies and deception wasn’t my finest moment. I reacted from a place of hurt instead of peace. But here’s what brings me comfort: none of it surprised God. He already knew how I would respond before I ever spoke a word. He lovingly convicted my heart, I took responsibility for my actions, and I apologized for my response.

What happened after that was no longer mine to control.

Sometimes an apology is met with grace. Sometimes it’s met with silence. I received nothing in return, and that, too, spoke volumes. But God reminded me that obedience isn’t measured by someone else’s response. It’s measured by my willingness to humble myself before Him and do what is right.

As I write this, I’m also approaching the three-year anniversary of the darkest season of my life—a surprise Stage 3 cancer diagnosis that changed me forever.

Looking back, I realize cancer gave me something I never expected: perspective.

It taught me that every day is a gift. It taught me that peace is worth protecting. It taught me that life is simply too precious to spend tangled up in bitterness, drama, or pettiness.

Most importantly, it taught me where my strength comes from.

I survived that season not because I was strong enough on my own, but because I believed in my Maker. When I was afraid, He was faithful. When I didn’t know what tomorrow held, He reminded me He already did.

So now, when I find myself in seasons like this one, I know exactly where to run.

I lean on Him.

Because the same God who carried me through cancer is the same God carrying me through disappointment, betrayal, and heartache. If He was faithful then, He will certainly be faithful now.

There is such peace in releasing what was never mine to carry.

If you’re in a dark season today, don’t stop looking for Him. God’s voice isn’t always loud, but it is always faithful. Slow down. Open His Word. Pay attention to the little moments that seem too perfectly timed to be accidental.

He is still speaking.

He is still guiding.

He is still comforting.

And He is still working, even when you can’t yet see the purpose.

I’ll close with this reminder: some people come into our lives for a season, but we rarely know how long that season is meant to last. Some remain for a lifetime, while others are only there to teach us something, strengthen our faith, or prepare us for what God has planned next.

When it’s time to move forward, ask God to help you find peace with the situation. Let go of the hurt. Learn the lesson. Then keep moving forward, trusting that God is already writing your next chapter.

Believe in Him.

Trust Him.

Love Him.

Because before you ever loved Him… He loved you first.

I’d like to share this verse I’ve been meditating on: 

“We love Him because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NKJV) 

Until next time…..keep peace in your mind and joy in your heart❣️

With love and gratitude, 

Ali