Hope in the Darkness - Encouragement for Today - September 25, 2026
Encouragement for Today
Audio By Carbonatix
Crosswalk.com
September 25, 2026
Hope in the Darkness
Nicole Jacobsmeyer
Author of Something Good Will Grow
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
Have you ever had one of those years that just feels like too much? God seems distant, circumstances are painful, life is heavy, and all you can do is cry as you barely mutter short prayers.
That was me. I had an incredibly hard year with a cancer diagnosis, a miscarriage, severe depression, and a cross-country move to a place where I knew no one. To say I was going through a lot would be an understatement.
I knew in my head that God uses all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and I loved Him! But how is there any good in the loss of a baby or a disease in my body? We’ve all asked similar questions regarding our pain in the heartache of the night — when we feel alone, nothing seemingly good happening, the darkness quickly seeping into every area of our lives.
What good can come from this?
One morning during this season, I sensed a prompting from the Lord to look up “flowers that bloom at night.” What I learned was breathtaking. Everything started to make sense.
Night flowers, or “moon garden plants,” bloom in the pitch-black darkness, in colder temperatures, and when no one is around to witness their beautiful blooms. These flowers are fragrant and brightly colored, often white or yellow, reflecting the moon’s glow throughout the garden.
That’s you, I could almost hear the Lord gently whisper. And that’s you, my friend.
Even in suffering, loss, and devastation, God is growing deep roots forged through the hard and holy places of darkness. Even in our hidden faithfulness, our tears at night, and the uncomfortable place of brokenness, God is still working.
First Peter 5:10 encourages us, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
What hope we have in Jesus. So much good is happening beneath the surface that will grow into a gorgeous bloom that brings Him much glory. Keep holding on.
I know it may feel impossible to see any kind of good in your life right now. But what I can promise you is that God cares immensely. Hope isn’t far off or coming in a few years. You can have hope now because God is our hope. He is so faithful to use the tragedies of our lives to draw us to Himself, restore us, strengthen us, and grow us into the most stunning blooms that reflect His glory.
Lord, thank You that You are close, even on my darkest days. I believe You will strengthen, restore, and produce beautiful things out of my life for Your glory. Even when circumstances seem hopeless and my battles feel unending, thank You for growing in me the hope that never fades. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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If you are looking to find God’s heart in the soil of suffering, order a copy of Something Good Will Grow by Nicole Jacobsmeyer.
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Enter to WIN your very own copy of Something Good Will Grow by Nicole Jacobsmeyer. To celebrate this book, Nicole’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, September 28, 2026.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Romans 5:3-5, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (ESV).
In what ways do you see God working in your life and producing hope in the darkness? We’d love to know in the comments!
© 2026 by Nicole Jacobsmeyer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
