When God Gives Joy in the Middle of Darkness

Two days ago, I was hit with a monster anxiety attack.

I have generalized anxiety disorder, and I normally manage it just fine with an SSRI. But my prescription unexpectedly ran out before I could get in to see my provider. I needed to see him fast, because I was already experiencing withdrawal symptoms: extreme irritability, restlessness, unable to concentrate—really great habits for a contemplative spiritual director!

And even if I got my refill within a week, the med would be out of my system, and I’d have to start over again—6 weeks of taking it before it started to work. I was NOT happy about this.

On top of my other charming symptoms, I was frustrated that I wasn’t getting any replies from my provider. My fear and worries grew, including frustration with my medical group.

And then the Lord showed me something.

He Works through Imaging Prayer

I saw a river of bright gold running through darkness. The ground around it was shadowed and dim, but the river itself emitted its own light. It looked like molten gold: brilliant, and priceless, and on the move.

The moment I saw it; I stopped feeling fear and frustration. Instead, the Lord was showing me joy—and my heart responded. Underneath my near panic, the Lord touched me with joy and grounded me in peace. And He did it with a God-given image. He did it with a vision.

Let me be really clear about this. The Holy Spirit-given image wasn’t just a nice picture. It was a prophetic vision carrying the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

If I had just looked at a painting of a golden river, it might have been lovely; looking at it would make me feel good.
But the river of molten gold that the Lord gifted me as a prophetic vision? Completely different.

When I looked at that image with the eyes of faith, the Lord used it to pull me up from the swamp that was sucking me down.
This wasn’t quite the end. On top of the image that pulled me back to joy, He also arranged circumstances and I got the meds on time. He didn’t have to; the vision and the gifts of joy were enough. He did it anyway.

Because the Lord is never just “enough.” He’s everything. And He didn’t create you for a little life. Jesus Christ saved you for eternity! And in this world, He calls you to holy adventure.

Join me on that adventure! My newsletter “Kingdom Adventure Guide” shows you how to hear God’s voice, to discover His will in prayer, and to boldly follow where the Holy Spirit leads.