My name is Lisa Wilt. Though I love the courageous man I married 36 years ago, his last name, Wilt, feels, well… less than courageous. Yet it fits me, because my natural inclination is to “wilt” when facing hard seasons. If you’re naturally fearless, that’s a gift. You go, girl! But for me, courage grows when I sit with Scripture and let God’s Word shine light into my dark places.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Romans 8:28: “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose” (CEB). If you’re a believer, you are “called”, and this promise is for you! It brings me courage and it helps others remember my name. My initials are L.W., which reminds me that God transforms my Losses into Wins.

For decades I worked as a pharmacist. It wasn’t my dream job, but it paid the bills. Can you relate? I always wanted to be a writer and teacher, so I taught Sunday school, wrote curriculum, and eventually directed the women’s ministry at my church. Now, in retirement, I write for Abingdon! I’m a walking, talking testimony to Romans 8:28. So take courage.

When you’re walking through a dark season, I’ll leave you with one last picture: the Mona Lisa. Though I share her name, I don’t share her mysterious smile… but I can learn something from her… or rather, from her artist. Leonardo da Vinci used chiaroscuro, the interplay of light and shadow, to give paintings depth and dimension. In Italian, chiaro means “light,” and scuro means “dark.”  Without the dark strokes, the brilliant light can’t break through.

When your world feels swallowed by shadow, remember the Artist who never stops creating. Romans 8:28 is God's divine chiaroscuro; God bending darkness and light together with fierce, deliberate love. What feels like ruin in your hands becomes radiance in the Artist's. You are God's workmanship. And the masterpiece God is crafting… is you!