When the Storm Is Inside: A Journey from Outward Struggle to Inward Growth

• By candidasullivan
• August 10, 2026
• No Comments

If the waves of darkness are washing over you and it all feels hopeless, I understand. I’ve been there more times than I would like to admit. I’ve sat in the darkness, wishing for someone to help me. Praying for things to change. Not knowing how I would endure if things didn’t change. 

I thought my outward circumstances had to change. As the pain consumed me, I felt that was the only way. How could I have joy and peace surrounded by darkness?

Then one day, God gave me a different perspective to consider. It’s not the storms raging outside of us that hurt us. It’s the ones raging inside of us. 

The light I desired was inside of me. God changed me when I got saved. Our trials are not things to overcome outwardly, but gifts to grow us inwardly. 

If life feels dark, it’s because I have moved my thoughts, feelings, and actions away from God. I am living outwardly and suffering inwardly. I am focused on things of the world and not the fruit of my spirit. 

But when I shifted my focus inward onto God and started walking toward His love, things changed. 

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I believe God knows every circumstance we will face. Nothing catches Him by surprise, and He faithfully uses even our hardest seasons to produce fruit in us. He knows exactly what we need to become more like Christ.

Is it painful? Yes. 

Do I want to stop amid the pain? Always.

Do I pray for relief instead of growth? Most of the time. 

Oh, but when God shows us how to take the pain and use it to grow. When He helps us overcome the circumstance with love and trust for Him. 

For a long time, I thought the trials were so painful that I might not survive. That’s because they were molding me. God was pressing me, challenging me, and revealing what was inside of me. In the changing, parts of our old selves begin to die so Christ can be seen more clearly in us.

And that led me to this thought: What if, instead of living as though we are only our bodies with a soul tucked inside, we remembered that our deepest identity is found in the life God has breathed into us? The soul cleansed and loved by God. 

My soul reflects the fruit of the Spirit because it is of God. Therefore, I want to live from my soul. I want others to see the light inside of me and feel the love that flows so freely from my Father. I want to live loved and introduce others to my Father. So they can experience His love as well.

May my life point beyond me to the One who placed that light there.