What God is Doing in the Dark - Before the Morning Part 2
Have you ever felt like your faith was strong… but your experience didn’t match?
In Before the Morning: What to Do in Your Night Season, Diana walks through a powerful 3-part mini-series designed to help you navigate the quiet, uncertain, and sometimes dark seasons of your walk with God.
And in Week 2, we dig in to:
What God is Doing In The Dark
This series gently explores the question many believers carry but rarely say out loud:
If I’m living in the Kingdom… Why do I still experience darkness?
Through biblical truth, honest reflection, and practical encouragement, you’ll learn:
Why God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s absent
What He may be doing in hidden seasons
How to stand firm—even when your feelings are unsteady
This series is a bridge into a deeper journey ahead: a study by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole and her book, The Night Is Normal.
Series: Before the Morning Part 2
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Heartfelt Conversations with Diana.
I’m so glad you are here with me today as we continue our mini-series:
Before the Morning — What To Do In Your Night Season.
Last week we talked about those quiet seasons… those dark seasons… those moments where life feels still, uncertain, and maybe even a little lonely.
Those times when we wonder: God… are You still there?
And before we jump into today’s episode, I want to lovingly clarify something from last week.
If anything I shared sounded like I was saying God causes painful hardships in our lives… that is not what I meant.
God is good. Always good.
We live in a broken world. Hard things happen. People make choices. Life can get messy.
But here is the beautiful truth:
Even when hardship comes, God is so wise, so loving, and so powerful… that He can meet us there. Anywhere we are, He is with us, in the midst of us.
Zephaniah 3:17: (AMP) The LORD your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
That means God is present with you right now! He is not distant from you.
He will bring peace in chaos. His strength is in our weakness. Healing for pain and growth in dark places.
That’s who He is. He does not waste pain.
He redeems what tried to break us. And with that -
Today we’re talking about something important:
What is God actually doing in the dark?
Because maybe the season you’re trying to escape…
It is nothing, the very place God is using to grow something beautiful in you.
Which brings us to our first point
POINT 1: DARKNESS DOES NOT MEAN NOTHING IS HAPPENING
One of the hardest things about night seasons is that they can feel unproductive.
And if anyone knows me, they know I do not like being unproductive. I want to be Mary, but I have been trained to be Martha! lol
When Nothing seems to be changing, nothing seems to be moving. Nothing looks better. Nothing feels clearer.
When we don’t see movement, we assume there is none.
But just because something is hidden does not mean it is absent.
Let me say that again:
Just because you cannot see progress… does not mean progress is not happening.
Some of the most important things in life happen where human eyes cannot see.
A seed breaks underground before it ever rises above ground.
Roots stretch downward long before branches grow upward.
A baby develops in the hidden place of the womb before anyone sees the child.
And faith often grows the same way. Quietly. Deeply. Unseen.
God is not limited to visible progress.
That’s what we like. If we can see it, we can believe it. But that doesn’t take faith.
Sometimes God does His best work where applause, appearance, platform, and performance cannot follow. It’s behind the scenes where we think no one sees us.
POINT 2: ROOTS GROW IN THE DARK
We love fruit. At least I love fruit. I was very fortunate to grow up on a farm in small-town USA, and as a child, I had a variety of fruit trees to climb, play in, and eat from. We had peach, apple, cherry, and pear trees. We had a huge garden, and my mom had flowers and beautiful bushes planted everywhere.
I loved seeing all those beautiful flowers grow, the fruit tree blossoms in the spring, and the smell of the lilac tree. We love blessings we can point at.
We love testimonies with sparkle.
But roots? Roots are hidden. Roots are messy and bumpy and kinda weird looking! Lol, roots grow in dirt.
And nobody posts a glamorous picture of roots on social media. LOL
But roots determine strength.
A tree that grows tall without roots becomes dangerous in storms.
And many of us want visible growth without hidden depth.
We want confidence without trust lessons. Peace without surrender.
Strength without process.Victory without dependence.
But God loves us too much to build us shallow.
So sometimes He allows seasons where growth moves downward first.
Where we become rooted in Him.
Rooted in truth.
Rooted in identity.
Rooted in love.
Rooted in trust.
Because what grows deep… can later stand tall.
Colossians 2:7: (NLT) Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
That means before some things rise, some things must deepen.
POINT 3: GOD MAY BE BUILDING WHAT SUCCESS CANNOT
Sometimes we ask God for outcomes, and He answers by building character. And sometimes, I say UGH! I don’t want character, I want what I want! Lol anyone?? lol
We ask for all the doors to be opened easily, and He builds patience.
We ask for quick relief, and He builds endurance.
We ask for answers, and He builds trust.
We ask Him to remove the pressure, and sometimes He strengthens us from within.
This is not punishment. This is not God being harsh. This is not Him trying to wear you down. This is a loving Father developing strength in His children.
Hebrews says God disciplines those He loves. Not destroys. Not humiliates. Not crushes.
He trains. He trains up! There is a difference.
And many times, what feels like a delay is development.
What feels like stillness is strengthening.
What feels like hiddenness is preparation.
I have had seasons where I wanted God to change my circumstances, and instead He started changing me.
I was not always thrilled about that arrangement. HAHA
I was like, “Lord, I asked for You to change my circumstances!
But he began working on me internally. He exposed fears. Wrong thinking. Areas of control. Places where I looked secure but was actually anxious.
Places where I wanted outcomes more than intimacy. Fellowship. And slowly…Quietly…Lovingly…
He began changing me from the inside out, and while I would not have chosen the process, I am grateful I did it! I am so glad I trusted Him!
Because sometimes we want rescue - when God is offering transformation.
POINT 4: NIGHT SEASONS CAN PROTECT YOU TOO
We usually think darkness only means loss. But sometimes darkness protects growth. Think about a seed. If you dig it up every day to check progress… You interrupt the process.
Some of us do that spiritually. God, are we there yet? God, did anything happen today? God, how about now?”
And meanwhile God is saying: Beloved Child… stay planted. Root your trust in Me!
There are seasons where hiddenness protects tender beginnings.
Where privacy protects healing. Where silence protects trust. Where waiting protects motives. Where delay protects timing, where unseen seasons guard sacred growth, not everything needs sunlight immediately.
Some things need shelter first. Nourished, Developed. We become impatient and, rather than trusting the Creator of the entire universe and everything in it, we think we have the ability to move things along, pick up the pace. If we aren’t careful, we can injure what God is still developing, and we cause ourselves more headaches, more heartbreaks, and more stress.
God’s timing is flawless for our joy! Sometimes He delays for us, to benefit us more abundantly, because He knows when the time is right.
Have you ever pushed to have your way about anything and then later regretted it? Said, man, I wish I had waited! Or if I had known that!
POINT 5: MORNING IS COMING
Night seasons are real. But they are not permanent.
Psalm 30:5 says: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Just so you know, it says for a night. Not forever. Not for the rest of your life.For a night.
There are seasons. And seasons change. Thank You, Lord! LOL
The dark may feel long. But God has not lost track of dawn.
He knows where morning is. He knows how to bring light back into places that felt buried. He knows how to restore hope. He knows how to revive joy. He knows how to breathe life into tired hearts. Morning is not absent.
It may simply be approaching quietly.
So if you are in a night season right now, hold onto this:
God is not doing nothing in the dark.
He is growing roots. Building strength. Deepening trust. Healing hidden places. Preparing you for the morning.
PERSONAL CONNECTION MOMENT
Maybe today you feel discouraged because life looks unchanged.
Maybe you thought you would be further along by now. I feel that way often. Maybe you are tired of waiting. Maybe you feel buried. Friend, this is all normal. All of us feel that way some days.
Try to remember this: A seed feels buried before it blooms.
Do not confuse planted with forgotten. Do not confuse hidden with abandoned. Please don’t confuse waiting with wasted. God knows exactly where you are.
And if you stay near Him…
What feels like a burial just may be your breakthrough!
Father,
For the one listening today who feels tired, hidden, or discouraged, would You remind them that You are still working? When they cannot see movement, give them faith. When they feel weary, give them strength. When they feel buried, remind them they may be planted. Grow deep roots in us. Teach us to trust You in the unseen places. And fill us with hope that morning is coming.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Next week… We are going to talk about something so important:
How to live with hope before the morning comes.
How do you keep going when dawn has not arrived yet?
How do you stand steady in the middle of the night?
How do you carry peace while still waiting?
So until the next time
Keep trusting. Keep leaning into Jesus. Keep standing.
And remember…Even in the dark…
God knows how to grow beautiful things.
And until next week, you can check out the notes for today’s podcast and a link to Pastor Alexa’s message from last Sunday, which is a wonderful message on being a part of God’s family, called The Blueprint of Devotion.
And if you do not already have a church home, join us online for Sunday service at Valley Family Church! You can find that link, the notes, and Pastor Alexa’s message.
On our website -heartfeltconversations.com
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Okay! Before we wrap up today, we are going to say Psalm 28:7 out loud together!
The LORD protects and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs.
Psalms 28:7:(Good News Translation)
See ya next time on Heartfelt Conversations with Diana!
Pastor Alexa’s message:
Easter's Epilogue: The Blueprint of Devotion | Pastor Alexa Jones
Valley Family Church YouTube Channel for Sunday Service:
Need a Church Home?
Join us at Valley Family Church, tell them Diana invited you! 🙂
Thirst Quenchers
Songs to Inspire You:
Always On Time (Bella Cordero) | Elevation Worship
GREAT GOD | Deep Worship Song (LIVE)
Ascend Worship | Nothing Is Impossible - Powerful Live Worship Experience
Foundational Encouraging Verses:
Isaiah 42:16: God’s Word Translation
I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a light unto our path and a light unto our feet.
Isaiah 54:17: But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Isaiah 52:12: (EASY) But you will not have to hurry and run away. No, the Lord, Israel's God, will keep you safe. He will lead you at the front, and He will be your guard at the back.
Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times,what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Matthew 7:11: So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Peter 2:23 tells us - When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God, the righteous Judge.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”
The New Living Translation reads it this way: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose life."
Luke 6:37“Forgive, and you will be forgiven”.
Matthew 6:14: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Romans 8:31 in the AMP Bible tells us: What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Psalm 65:11: You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 32:8: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Proverbs 15:3: The Lord sees everything, whether good or bad.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Additional Resources:
Steven Furtick: Triggered Taking Back Your Mind in the Age of Anxiety
Beth Jones: Getting a Grip on the Basics is a great resource to help you get the basics of how vital you are to God and how good He desires to be to you
https://www.thebasicsuniversity.com
Joyce Meyer: The Mind is a Battlefield - https://joycemeyer.org
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born-again child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand-new Christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, and we will forward your information to you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you.