The opening lyrics in my song, Unfinished, harken back to the first single on my album, Overcomer. I sing, “Not scared to say it, I used to be the one preaching it to you, that you could overcome. I still believe it, but it ain’t easy.”
Overcomer was inspired by my friend, Lakisha Mitchell, who was pregnant with her second child while she battled breast cancer. When Kisha died, I sank into a deep pit of depression. I turned back to my harmful coping mechanisms. I pushed God and everyone who loves me away. I allowed isolation and food to bring me comfort, albeit false and temporary. This dark time caused me to gain back the 120 pounds I’d lost through the years—and 75 more. This new weight gain led to shame, which led to hopelessness, which very likely could have led to a quick-fix attempt to numb the pain by taking my life. But as my new life Scripture says,
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ.
God has indeed given me a new song to sing—an entire album full of them, as a matter of fact! My prayer is that through my album, Out of the Dark, many will see what He has done, be amazed, and put their trust in the Lord.
@mandisaofficial
Here are the 3 things God has shown me about overcoming darkness.
- Look for flashes. While darkness can be overwhelming, it only takes a spark of light to dispel it. This is true both physically and metaphorically. Light is found in countless ways: God’s Word, an encouraging comment, a hug from a friend, etc. I found it in a song I heard on Christian radio, One Step Away, by Casting Crowns. It only takes a flicker. Ask God for that, and keep your eyes open for it. (John 1:5)
- Look for friends. God calls us to community for a reason. As I sat day after day by myself listening to the lies of the enemy and my own negative self-talk, I sank deeper and deeper into darkness. I thank God for surrounding me with “People of Light” who prayed for me, called, texted, pounded on my door, and eventually accosted me at a movie theater parking lot. Like Jesus, they loved me just as I was, but too much to leave me that way. Let God’s children be His hands and feet in your life as they guide you out of the dark. If you don’t have people like that already, pray for Him to send you some. (Romans 12:9-15, Matthew 7:11)
- Look forward. As long as I focused on the mistakes I made in that season of darkness, I would stay stuck there. Instead, I look forward. I set my mind on the grace and forgiveness of God, and find hope in the fact that my story is still being written. I am an “unfinished overcomer” in progress! (Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 1:6)
