Eclipses and Emotions
Navigating Darkness to See the Light Again
Eclipses and Emotions: Navigating Darkness to See the Light Again
I have witnessed two total solar eclipses in my 47 years on this earth, and there’s something profoundly humbling about watching the world slip into sudden darkness for a few minutes.
An eclipse is a celestial event where the moon temporarily obscures the sun, casting an eerie shadow over the Earth, yet even in that moment, light is never truly gone. It is simply waiting to emerge again; we know this; we understand the science behind it, but you can imagine the fear that must have overcome the people who didn’t understand?
Much like an eclipse, life brings moments where our light seems stolen, mistakes are made, hope is lost, and we feel swallowed by the weight of regret and despair. But just as the sun fights its way back into view, our lives, we too, have the power to rise out of temporary darkness.
I think about my own experience in this, and even though it’s a struggle almost every single day, I push forward because I know the truth of whose love matters most to me.
I carry a lot of regrets, as we all do, and I know I am not alone in that thought. It can be as simple as the words I wish I hadn’t spoken, the opportunities squandered, and the relationships fractured. Some mistakes are small, fleeting moments of carelessness. Others feel heavier and so defining that they drag me deep into nights of darkness where self-condemnation seems the only option I deserve to put on myself.
In the Bible it speaks of David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), and he knew this kind of darkness. The Bible speaks of David, his own failures led him down a road of brokenness, yet even at his lowest, he cried out, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
There have been many trustworthy, God loving men in my life who have stepped in to remind me of this when I start to believe I am not worth it to God; they tell me to “remember David.”
Even in failure, God’s grace is bigger. The same God who restored David, who forgave Peter’s denial, and who welcomed the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), welcomes us into redemption. Mistakes don’t define us, but His mercy does.
During an eclipse, the world sits momentarily in shadow, but scientists will tell you light never actually disappears. It is simply hidden, waiting to re-emerge. The amazing thing about seeing an eclipse at totality is that we then start to see light that we can’t normally see when the sun is shining bright.
I am talking about the “corona,” which happens as a solar eclipse reaches 100% and the Moon passes in front of the Sun, blocking its bright light. See the image above, where I was able to capture this.
This allows the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, to become visible. The corona is a wispy, white-colored plasma that radiates out from the sun's surface. So once again, even in our blindness, God reveals another layer of light yet to be seen, but has always been there.
Life’s trials can feel the same. We lose sight of God’s promises when disappointment overwhelms us, when grief grips us, or when prayers feel unanswered. But even in the darkest valley, God walks beside us.
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
You may not see the light yet, but it is there, waiting. Faith is trusting that His promises remain steady, even when life’s storms rage.
As the eclipse fades, the sun blazes into view once more. A reminder that darkness is never permanent. It never fails during an eclipse; as the light returns, there are cheers from all the surrounding people watching; it’s an incredible experience to hear the joy expressed for light returning.
Your failures do not disqualify you. Your suffering does not define you. The love of Christ is relentless, and no mistake, no sorrow, no season of loss can erase it.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." —John 1:5
If you’re standing in the shadow of regret or sorrow, hold fast—because the light will come again. Hope is not lost. The same God who orchestrates the movements of the heavens guides your heart, ensuring that no eclipse lasts forever.
Keep Looking Up.
-g