The Darkest Path from Failure to Victory

By Dr. Increase

Life is a journey, and most people with the brightest lives began theirs on the darkest paths. Even though many tread uncertain paths, only a few who secure divine help can complete their journey. I don't know where you are on the road to victory, on the path to success, and the grand adventures of life's ups and downs. I have found that there's no mountain too high, valley too low, or destination too far for divine help--the help that I've enjoyed up until now. God is intentional in everything he does.

Therefore I invite you on a journey through one of the darkest paths of my life. On my journey, I encountered peaks that caused me to stumble, valleys I had to fall on my knees and crawl through, mountains that God had to carry me over, and even rivers that tried to drown me. For it required the loss of so-called friends, relatives, and even my youngest child. But even after suffering great loss, there is tremendous victory.

In truth, it is a path that could only be traveled by one--a narrow and uncertain terrain; a journey I am yet to complete. But as you tag along on this adventure, I have a question: Would you trust God even when you can't trace him? Do you even know what it means?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781639618507

Book preview

cover.jpg

The Darkest Path from Failure to Victory

Dr. Increase

ISBN 978-1-63961-849-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63961-850-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Dr. Increase

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Prologue: Finding Join in the Pain

Part 1: Weapon Ready

Weapons of the Mind

I Asked for This

Days of Struggles

Enemy Within

Light in the Darkness

Part 2: Finding Purpose in the Pain

How Did I Get Here?

Living with Losses

Life in Jail

Lights Even in the Tunnel

Part 3: The Tribulations of Followers

Behind the Veil of Disguise

Living with Commensals

Final Victory in It All

Victory

About the Author

Prologue: Finding Join in the Pain

Finding Joy in the Pain

When hope lived here, joy moved in next door. But now I can't find my two buddies. Where are they? And as I write this on an early July morning, sipping warm lemon water, there's a storm brewing in my mind. My heart echoes the pains of the past years, and happiness is fast becoming a fleeting memory.

Over the years, I lost everything dear to me and, at some point, even my freedom. Gradually, emotions that were once strangers have crept in to become my constant companions. Now worry, fear, anxiety, and doubt hang like old drapes over my future.

At the moment, life appears bleak with nothing to look forward to; no hope to bring me comfort and light to bring me joy. Can't find my way out of this all-consuming darkness, will I ever? Gone are the outbursts of laughter, high-pitched giggles of a carefree soul. Nothing is as it used to be anymore. Who else has something more?

Yet amid my struggles, praise gathers within me like clouds from the vapor of God's grace, and I proclaim the greatness of my Lord. Because I know that in my suffering, God is working in me and will make all things beautiful in his time.

So how am I different? The truth is we all desire God's blessing, but few are willing to go through the process that prepares us to receive it. But am I missing anything when I say no one ever strutted into a place of rest?

Consider Jacob who got blessed but went away from that experience with limp strides. How about Abraham and Sarah, old students of God's school of waiting. Divine college took so long; they endured twenty-five years of barrenness before Isaac showed up.

We have to realize our Heavenly Father is a friend and guide on the darkest paths of life. As a potter to his clay, he'll always take you through the fire for beauty and strength. Can anyone walk on coals and not get burnt?

Sincerely, my experience in the furnace really hurts, and oft I almost turned back. But God is always there to grab my hand and sustain me through the flames.

Even when you think praising in the eye of the storm sounds ridiculous, yet nothing more moves God's heart. This reminds me of Job who, after losing everything, fell on his face-down in worship. And frequently I have wondered how he could be grateful despite such great tragedy.

As a result of my experiences, I've cried almost every night and every day for over two years. Neither have I had a good night's rest in three years. I've seen doctors and taken prescriptions to deal with the anxiety and to help my sleeplessness, but peace still eludes me.

Although, like the average person, my heart bleeds, and my spirit moans in pain under the weight of the burden I carry. To get respite, I pray and I fast, always seeking direction from God. But the only response I get is silence.

So what do you do when God is quiet? How do you rest when you seek answers, and it seems there's none? Who do you turn to when your heart fails because you feel overwhelmed and confused? And how do you remain strong when you walk on life's darkest paths?

Words! Words! Words! Phew! They've gotten me nowhere! Now how about silence? Rather than making demands or asking questions, I'm deciding to listen for what I might have been missing all along. Here's the point: sometimes, you must stop what you are doing, sit down, be quiet, and listen.

Besides, many people think life is