Finding Hope in a Dark Season by Wes Mast

Everyone has or will face dark seasons…those stretches of life where everything feels heavy, unclear, or strangely hollow. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the struggle itself, it’s the shame you carry about how you got there. You can be doing everything “right,” checking every box, showing up for everyone who needs you, and still feel a heaviness you can’t escape. If that’s where you are right now, you’re not failing. You’re not broken. And you’re not alone.

In my darkest season, I found 2 resources and 3 practices that kept me going, and I’d love to share them with you.

1. A Scripture list that kept me focused on God 
2. The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan
3. Counting my blessings
4. Taking the next right step
5. Speaking gratefulness before the victory

The Pressure No One Sees

From the outside, people might have seen my accomplishments, my growth, the successful business Kristy and I were building- but they couldn’t see the enormous pressure and mental load I was carrying over a decision I had pushed for and was starting to second guess. I got to such a dark place, I wasn’t eating, sleeping, or able to focus or be present with my family. 

Kristy was an incredible support, and when I could only see myself as weak and a failure, she saw me fighting to emerge from the darkness and helped me change my perspective. 

Powerful Scriptures to Help You Through Dark Times

God’s Word is a wealth of strength and encouragement. I compiled a list of Scriptures and thoughts that spoke to me in that season. I would read over them, repeat them out loud, and meditate on the truth every day, sometimes multiple times a day. 

Download the list here for free 

Count Your Blessings

 “Darkness distorts perspective and gratitude restores it.”

 There is so much power in counting your blessings even when you don't feel blessed. There’s always something to be thankful for, even if it’s the fact you woke up and have air in your lungs.

 Our perspective matters. Blessings don't disappear during those dark times, they just get harder to see. We have to be very courageous to count those blessings and to say, "No, I know that I have blessings, that I am still blessed, that I am still thankful." Write them down and keep them where you can see them to help you when you’re having a hard time thinking of the ways you’re blessed. 

Take the Next Right Step

When life feels dark, I want clarity. I want a full map of how to get through it. I felt paralyzed by fear, and wanted to stay still until I got some answers, but I learned a very important lesson. 

Action brings clarity.

We don't get clarity by thinking harder, we get clarity by moving, and continuing to take action. One conversation at a time, one prayer at a time, one decision at a time, the fog started to lift and I could start to see which way to go. The exit often doesn't reveal itself until you start walking towards it. 

Speak Gratitude Even Before You See The Victory

Faith sounds a lot like gratitude spoken in advance. The difference between this and counting your blessings is speaking your gratitude out loud. Our words can actually make new pathways mentally and spiritually. What we say matters. What we say has an impact. Anyone can be thankful after the breakthrough, but we as trailblazers have to be thankful before that victory. That's faith in motion. It changes how we go through those dark times. 

 If we’re not grateful, what we have is never enough. Gratitude makes what we have enough. 

 You’re Not Falling Behind — You’re Rooting In

Think about seeds buried underground. It looks like nothing is happening. It looks like darkness. It looks like stillness. But beneath the surface, roots are forming—strengthening, expanding, preparing for growth that will eventually break through the soil.

Your dark season may feel like a setback, but it might actually be the foundation for the next chapter of your life.

Hidden growth is still growth.

When You Can’t See the Light Yet

If no one has told you lately:

You’re doing better than you think. You’re not stuck. You’re not alone. You won’t be in this season forever.

Take a breath and notice one small thing to be thankful for.
Then take the next right step.