Lisa Murray
About the Author

Lisa Murray is a professional therapist, author, and blogger. Her passion is to help others embrace a life of wholeness and peace.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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    • Thank you Ifeoma. There are times we all hit road blocks. I’m glad to hear that God is doing great things – that your morning has come!

      Blessings!
      Lisa Murray

  1. One of my general rules of thumb is when a post makes me cry, I write in the comments section. As I sit here tearing up, I would like to let you know how deeply your words touched me.
    To say this is the darkest season of my life seems silly, as both my children and myself are in good health. Nothing compares to that. But, to say that this is my darkest season within myself would be very true.
    At 50 years of age I am having to face myself, things about me, alone, for the very first time. No way to run or hide. It’s hard.
    My favorite line in this post is: Light is made brighter, more brilliant, when it is displayed against the backdrop of darkness. Helps me realize that this time in my life is preparation so what comes next will have a space to shine brightly. Thank you.

    • Thank you for your kind words, Shelly. Though this season may seem dark and difficult, God’s light will always shine brighter in our lives as a result. Though you may not be able to see His light or feel His light, it is coming. That you can count on!

      Blessings to you,
      Lisa Murray

  2. Thanks for this well written word of encouragement which all of us will need at some point in our lives.

  3. Lisa, I am so glad your ministry is reaching more people. I have had the blessing of your friendship and gentle guidance for decades.
    Blessings to you as you continue to make a difference to so many.
    ♡ J

  4. Thank you so much for sharing this deeply needed word of encouragement. When I read:

    “It will be better than you can imagine. You can make it through.”

    The tears came.
    It is so and it is well. Amen.

    • Miriam,

      For those of us who have experienced a dark season in our lives, when the morning comes, it is indeed better than anything we can imagine. Sometimes, that becomes the hope that sustains us and allows us to make it through!

      Blessings to you on your journey, Miriam!
      Lisa Murray

    • Thank you, Kyle! I am glad the article offered inspiration and encouragement for you today.

      Blessings,
      Lisa Murray

  5. Lisa,
    As I read this, tears rolled down my cheeks. My favorite part of this article was when you said, “Light is made brighter, more brilliant, when it is displayed against the backdrop of darkness.” Isn’t that just like our God….He uses the darkness in our life to make us more radiant, more beautiful than ever before! That’s exciting… because who doesn’t want to be more beautiful than they were before?!
    (2 Corinthians 4: 16-18) “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
    When I read this scripture now, I picture you sitting in your beach chair in the darkness but looking intently beyond the horizon even tho you can’t even see the horizon yet…but you keep your gaze fixed in that direction because you know the glory that is about to be revealed! Thank you Lisa for this reminder that no matter how heavy the darkness is…His light, His glory always overpowers it!!

    • What a beautiful picture! 2 Corinthians is one of my favorite passages and I love its application here. The true secret of the Christian life is in “fixing our gaze on the things that cannot be seen,” because those things will last forever. That is the light, the truth. That is the hope we have in Jesus Christ!

      Blessings, Janna!
      Lisa Murray

  6. Lisa,
    Beautiful! Thoughtful words to ponder this holiday season. Listening for what God might be gently teaching us and showing us makes these difficult seasons worthwhile, although they are not easy to live through. Appreciate your words of encouragement!

    • Thank you Valerie! Dark seasons can challenge and shake the foundations of our lives. Listening for the ways God may be healing us or teaching us in the midst of our pain can provide strength to endure the night, as well as hope for the morning that is to come!

      Blessings to you!
      Lisa Murray

  7. Thank you, Lisa, for these words.
    I’m staring down 2015, going in raw as a single mom of four little ones, looking for a paying job after 9 years…learning how to just receive what God gives right as I need it, and not before. If I just keep looking at Him alone, I can keep moving forward and not be paralyzed by fear.
    I’m printing this one out to keep me going.

    • Donna,

      Your words encourage me! No matter what our circumstance or struggle, our strength comes when we focus on God and God alone. You do not have to be afraid. Our God is trustworthy. One step at a time. One moment at a time. You can do it!

      Praying blessings over you!
      Lisa Murray

    • Alli,

      Don’t give up! The darkness can seem overwhelming, interminable. Yet the darkness is not the end of the story. The darkness is not the end of your story. God has so much for you. Morning will come. His Word is true. Keep holding on. The light is just over the horizon!

      Prayers going up for you!
      Lisa Murray

  8. Thanks, I needed to read these words today. The ‘waiting’ is hard…but I am trusting God. I know He’s got it covered…and I continue to pray and believe.
    Bless you for writing the words so many of us needed to read today.
    God is good.

    • Susan,
      Yes, God is good. The ‘waiting’ is perhaps the hardest part of the journey, yet you are wise to continue to place your trust in God. He will never disappoint! His love is constant. His Word is true.

      Be blessed!
      Lisa Murray

  9. What a great word Lisa! All of us walk thru darkness in our lives. Thankfully, it does end..usually when we recognize Who God wants to be in us. He desires our trust in Him alone and ” the backdrop of darkness” allows His Name (Ex 34:6,7) to be known, and His Light to be seen! Blessings, Nancy

    • Nancy,

      His glory is what this journey is all about! My prayer is that His Light is seen and His Name is proclaimed in every season of my journey, even in the darkness.

      Thank you!
      Lisa Murray

  10. Lisa,
    Thank you so much for this wonderful post! I am so thankful that “morning is coming.” I have experienced a very difficult time recently, and have been so encouraged by Psalm 30:5. So much so, that I made it into a t-shirt. I started a t-shirt company this summer with encouraging shirts for women. http://www.heartworktees.com. Anyways, I’d love to send you a shirt if you are interested. I couldn’t find your email, so I decided to comment with all this. My email is heartworktees@gmail.com. Thank you again for your wise words of encouragement.
    -Sarah

  11. Thank you for this very timely reminder. The holidays are very challenging for us. On August 13, 2013 we lost our oldest son Aaron (26) in a horrific care accident. Our younger son Steven (24) survived the accident but sustained a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Our Aaron loved sunrises. He would call or text me every morning when he witnessed a beautiful sunrise. We know one day we will paint a sunrise together. For now we must attempt to carry on with our precious Aaron memories while being here for our miracle son Steven cheerleading him on in his day by day recovery. I’m thankful that I took the time to read your precious words. Thank you.

    http://ourhealth.uberflip.com/i/291903

    • Thank you for sharing your story, Norma. I am so saddened to hear of your loss! The special memories that we have with our loved ones are part of God’s gift to get us through the dark seasons of grief. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!

      Lisa Murray

  12. Lisa….thanks for this wonderful reminder of God’s love for us all. So well written…..I was right there on that beach with you (-: Blessings Friend, Rick

    • Thank you, Sybil! God is indeed, more in control than we can think or imagine. I believe we all need to be reminded of that often!

      Warmest regards!
      Lisa Murray

  13. Some days, all the encouragement in the world sounds like “blah, blah, blah”. Other days, it’s the Balm of Gilliad. On those “blah, blah, blah” days It takes all the Faith I can muster, but I still trust that God is in control and that His answers to our troubling times will always end in Glory to Him. I was not up early enough for today’s sunrise, but the weather today is spectacular. So, as magnificent as this day is, I am still waiting for His Glory to outshine this lovely day – to shine through my darkness and for the Healer’s touch in our lives. Thank you, Lisa! It is a joy to know you.

  14. Lisa, I like this thought “Light is made brighter, more brilliant, when it is displayed against the backdrop of darkness.” I am slow in reading this as I have been physically ill for a few days. Illness never comes at a good time. I am humbled to have to remain home when “my kids”, the Youth Drama Team, our performing a skit this very minute. Reminded that it is NOT about me. It’s all about You, Lord. Thanks for your encouragement.

    • Thank you, Peggy! Sometimes it’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the darkness. It just is. But the beauty of our faith is that we can readjust our focus to Jesus, who is our Light, our only Light. His Light is what is brilliant and beautiful. You are so right – it is all about HIM!

      Warmest regards,
      Lisa Murray

  15. Lisa,

    What a profound post! Your words resonate with me! This has been the roughest/darkest year of my life! I’ve dealt with moving my dad into assisted living and his many health issues (including 4 trips to ER), hubby almost lost job (had 2 changes in a year), and a job that changed drastically! The sentence “If you could, you’d put on your running shoes and run as far and as fast as possible away from the pain” really hit the nail on the head for me. I have felt like running far far away from work!

    I know 2015 will be better–it has to be. I’m just ready for the light to shine super brightly and God to come in and take away all darkness!

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth,

      Sometimes when life just keeps coming at us, I think we all just want to put on our running shoes! Morning is coming. The Light will shine brightly. Right in the middle of our pain it shines. Even when it is hard to see, it shines. He shines. Hold on. The light that will be produced in our lives when morning does come will be brighter and greater than we can imagine!

      Blessings to you in 2015!
      Lisa Murray

  16. One of my favorite posts so far in my several months of joining this blog family. Thanks for beautiful encouragement!

  17. Lisa; I love so much that you take the time to answer each post. That takes a great deal of effort and time. Today was a perfect example of what you were sharing. Beautiful sunshiny day with with a quietness that led one to believe that one could speak to God and that he would listen.

    • Thank you for your words, Celia! Beautiful days combined with quietness – that truly is a special blessing!

      Warmest regards,
      Lisa Murray

  18. Lisa, your words seem to come straight from the heart of God! For me, it is the waiting that is so hard. As a fellow beach lover, your picture of waiting for the sunrise resonated deeply with me and reminded me that the sun does come up each morning. Hard seasons don’t last forever, and God has another beautiful beginning waiting for us. Thank you so much for sharing your words of truth and encouragement. I am looking forward to many more articles!!!

  19. Love this! Beautifully written life filled words. Love going to the beach with coffee in hand as well :). Such a good illustration to hold onto.