By: Lynette Bloedow
My health journey over the last year has been like a yo-yo. One day I am up and feeling positive and energetic, the next I am down in the dumps and reaching out to the Christian musical world to lift my spirits so I can cope with life.
I often reach out to Matt Papa’s rendition of “What is Our Hope in Life and Death, or Keith and Kristin Getty’s rendition of “If It Had Not Been For The Lord.” Lately, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s rendition of Psalm 34 that starts with the words “This poor man cried and the Lord heard me, and delivered me from all my fears,” has been my song of choice.
My pain is gone after a year of acute suffering. The nerve block worked. Most of my secondary suffering has been because of side effects of medication. Wedged between acute pain and the side effects of medication is a mild stroke, for which I am still being treated.
This involves a new medication which, even though it seems to have the desired effect, is not without the affliction of the “rare” side effects. This is the current cause of my yo-yo emotions. One day I am feeling fine, all systems are firing, my brain is working in overdrive, but the next day the side effects of exhaustion, itching, and brain fog bother me so I that can’t think clearly. And so, I can’t function and I am down in the dumps AGAIN. I am literally sick and tired of being sick and tired.
My parents memorized and quoted Scripture verses to encourage their hearts. They encouraged the same in us. This is like the saying in Trinidad: “You can’t learn to dance on the dance-floor.” You must prepare for the dark days - the dark nights of the soul when you need encouragement. So I quote my favourite Scriptures aloud to myself.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psm 34:19. (NKJV)
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Rom 5: 3-5. (NKJV)
I cling to these verses almost as a prayer, wanting the Holy Spirit to make those words true.
My parents also often sang their blues away with gospel songs. Many of my siblings have the same habit. Recently, this song popped into my head to encourage me.
You Can Have a Song in Your Heart in the Night (E.L. Slavens)
Verse 1
You can have a melody down in your heart, When it’s aching, almost breaking.
Even though the sorrow makes the teardrop start, You can have a melody down in your heart.
Chorus
You can have a song in your heart in the night, After every trial, after every mile.
Anyone can sing when the sun’s shining bright, But you need a song in your heart at night.
Verse 2
Do not let your worries drive your song away, Though tomorrow brings its sorrow,
Just remember after night time comes the day, Do not let your worries drive your song away
Verse 3
Soon the night will pass and morning brings the day; I am longing for its dawning,
Until then we’ll labor here and watch and pray, Soon the night will pass and morning bring the day.
We need the Scriptures, hidden away in our hearts like David said, so we can speak truth to ourselves. We need to sing the sad songs to God, knowing that we have a high priest who continuously makes intercession on behalf of those who come to God through Him (Heb 7:25). Do you have a song to sing in the dark night of the soul?
