“We simply cannot think our way out of disillusionment, but we can give our trust muscles a good workout by choosing to have more confidence in who God is than in our ability to connect all the dots.”- Alicia Britt Chole
“When [Jesus] rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.”- Luke 22:25 (ESV)
In Chapter 18 (“What Dots are Not”) of The Night is Normal, Alicia Britt Chole presents the third navigation tool.
3. When disillusioned with God, the key is not connecting the dots. Perhaps connecting all the dots calms you. But, Dr. Chole counsels, you dare not mistake such calm for faith. When disillusioned we can attempt to connect all the dots we choose. However, odds are, those dots fail to coalesce to spell out EXIT.
Therefore, Dr. Chole explains, intellect alone serves as a poor guide through the night. The author states:
“Disillusionment offers plenty of opportunities to submit our intellect to Christ. Clearly, [God] delights in our use of [our brains]. But thinking is not the same as trusting. And trust — with or without understanding — is how we follow God through the night.”
4. When disillusioned with God, soak in the Scriptures. Moving on to Chapter 19 (“Thirsty Thoughts”), Dr. Chole underscores the importance of soaking in the Scriptures when we feel disillusioned. Because, while many books encourage, instruct, or entertain, only the Bible actually renews.
In addition, the Bible reads you. Therefore, Dr. Chole explains:
“In drought, plants need water. In spiritual pain, our thirsty minds need to soak in the Word of God. Every word we read, every sentence we listen to, every verse we speak aloud exposes our spirits to living water. . . . Because the Word is living, continuing to expose ourselves to it when we feel nothing (and believe even less) is not hypocrisy. In fact, it is a lifeline.”
Within the Bible, God’s Voice provides the strength we truly need to navigate the night.
Today’s question: How often do you attempt to connect all the dots? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Gently collect the broken pieces”
