Faith is Like Film—It Develops in the Dark

Faith is Like Film—It Develops in the Dark

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Faith is a lot like an old-school roll of film. You can’t rush it, and it doesn’t bloom in broad daylight. It’s in the shadows, in the quiet, unseen places, that something remarkable begins to take shape. And just like film, faith needs time, patience, and a whole lot of trust in the process.

Think about how film is developed. It starts as a blank slate, capturing fleeting moments of light and shadow. But you’d never know the beauty it holds just by looking at it fresh out of the camera. It’s fragile, vulnerable much like us when we’re navigating life’s uncertainties. Then it’s taken to a darkroom, where the real magic happens. But let’s be real if you were that roll of film, wouldn’t you be freaking out? “Why is it so dark? What’s that smell? And why am I soaking in this weird chemical bath?!”

Life feels like that sometimes. We find ourselves plunged into darkness, confused and overwhelmed, wondering why we’re stuck in such a strange, uncomfortable place. But here’s the thing: the dark isn’t there to destroy us. It’s there to shape us. Every trial, every setback, every heartbreak it’s all part of the Creator’s master plan to bring out the best in us.

And those “chemical baths” we go through? Oh, they sting. They challenge everything we thought we knew about ourselves. But those moments of pain and uncertainty are where faith gets its depth. It’s where our resilience is born. If you’re like me, you’ve probably prayed, “Alright, Creator, I get it! Can we speed this up now?” But trust me, rushing the process won’t do you any favors. Faith, like a masterpiece, takes time.

I remember a time when I felt like life had tossed me into the darkest corner of a darkroom. Everything seemed to be falling apart. I couldn’t see how anything good could come of it. But just when I was ready to throw in the towel, the Creator showed up. Not in the way I expected, but in the way I needed. It was as if He whispered, “Hold on. I’ve got this.” And slowly, things started to click into place.

Here’s the funny part about faith it doesn’t grow when life is easy. When the sun is shining and everything’s going your way, it’s tempting to coast along, forgetting the One who’s been holding you up all along. But throw in a storm, and suddenly, faith gets real. It’s in the moments when we’re hanging by a thread that we learn to lean on the Creator, to trust that He’s working even when we can’t see it.

And let me tell you, His timing? Impeccable. Sure, it might not align with our calendars, but it’s always right on schedule. The Creator has this way of showing up when we’re ready not when we think we’re ready, but when our faith has matured enough to handle the blessings He’s been preparing for us.

Sometimes, waiting feels like the hardest part. Patience isn’t exactly my strong suit, and I’m guessing I’m not alone in that. But here’s the kicker: the Creator isn’t just waiting for us to believe in Him. He’s waiting for us to believe Him. To take Him at His word. To trust that even in the dark, He’s crafting something extraordinary.

So if you’re in a tough spot right now, take heart. It won’t always be like this. The darkness you’re sitting in isn’t a permanent state it’s a phase. Sooner or later, the Creator will pull you out, and you’ll see the masterpiece He’s been working on all along.

And when that day comes, you’ll look back and realize that every moment of waiting, every ounce of struggle, was worth it. Because the Creator doesn’t just fix things He perfects them. He takes the broken pieces and turns them into something more beautiful than we ever imagined.

So, let the process happen. Trust that the darkness is doing its work. And when the time is right, step into the light and embrace the masterpiece you’ve become.