--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The next time you find yourself alone in…" description: "\"The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous gr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/max-lucado-190_adversity_the-next-time-you-find-yourself-alone-in_2649017.jpg" --- # The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley… ![“The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/max-lucado-190_adversity_the-next-time-you-find-yourself-alone-in_2649017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/max-lucado-190_adversity_the-next-time-you-find-yourself-alone-in_2649017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/max-lucado-190_adversity_the-next-time-you-find-yourself-alone-in_2649017.jpg) > “The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think.” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing fear alone, avoid denial; acknowledge and seek spiritual presence for comfort. **In simple terms:** Don’t ignore fear; call on faith. Key Takeaway Acknowledge fear, call on higher help. Themes faith fear comfort spirituality Mood reflective hopeful Type advice spiritual When to use this quote - dark alley - personal crisis - loneliness - spiritual seeking Key Concepts existential anxiety trust solitude Questions to Reflect On - How do you confront fear without denial? - What role does faith play in your coping? A Different Perspective May not work for non‑spiritual or skeptical individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Being alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-alone/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-inspirational/) [Commitment to god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment-to-god/) [Communion with god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communion-with-god/) [Confidence in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-in-god/) [Connecting with god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connecting-with-god/) [Conversations with god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations-with-god/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Dark alleys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-alleys/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Finding yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finding-yourself/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God is in control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-is-in-control/) [God within us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-within-us/) [Hard times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-times/) [Hardship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardship/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Intimacy with god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimacy-with-god/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Mighty god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mighty-god/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) [Next time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-time/) [Not alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-alone/) [Overcoming adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming-adversity/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trust in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-in-god/) [Whispering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whispering/) ## Related quotes > [You need not cry very loud; he is nearer to us than we think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/you-need-not-cry-very-loud-he-is-nearer-to-us-than-we-think/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [Shout and someone will hear you, whisper and someone will listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/shout-and-someone-will-hear-you-whisper-and-someone-will-listen/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [“God's voice is usually nothing more than a whisper and you have to listen very carefully to hear it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/god-s-voice-is-usually-nothing-more-than-a-whisper-and-you-have-to-2/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“God's voice is usually nothing more than a whisper, and you have to listen very carefully to hear it. But other times, in those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/god-s-voice-is-usually-nothing-more-than-a-whisper-and-you-have-to/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [You have to be true, you have to be honest.. Don't do anything, just figure out what it is that is true to you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-benatar/you-have-to-be-true-you-have-to-be-honest-don-t-do-anything-just/) [Pat Benatar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-benatar/) > [“You’re much too straightforward to be able to pretend to be what you aren’t,” Mrs. Murry said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/you-re-much-too-straightforward-to-be-able-to-pretend-to-be-what-you/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniable of life,don't cover them with blanket,or ignore them with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-find-yourself-alone-in-a-dark-alley-facing-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There's two kinds of people, kid: the kind who pretend they are, and the kind who pretend they aren't. Take my advice and don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-stahl/there-s-two-kinds-of-people-kid-the-kind-who-pretend-they-are-and-the/) [Jerry Stahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-stahl/) > [“It’s not sexy, edgy, or magnetizing, but for every second, minute, and hour you pretend to be someone who you aren’t, you’re wasting away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-blue/it-s-not-sexy-edgy-or-magnetizing-but-for-every-second-minute-and/) Devin Blue > [We all want to pretend that there isn't evil in the world. We all want to pretend that there aren't people trying to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/powers-boothe/we-all-want-to-pretend-that-there-isn-t-evil-in-the-world-we-all-want/) [Powers Boothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/powers-boothe/) > [The mind that is full of God is empty of anxiety. Are you troubled, restless, sleepless? Then think of God more!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-mind-that-is-full-of-god-is-empty-of-anxiety-are-you-troubled/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The One who saved your soul longs to remake your heart. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus. Perhaps in seeing Him, we will see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-one-who-saved-your-soul-longs-to-remake-your-heart-let-s-fix-our/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [But I always liked side-paths, little dark back-alleys behind the main road- there one finds adventures and surprises, and precious metal in the dirt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-i-always-liked-side-paths-little-dark-back-alleys-behind-the-main/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Trying to micromanage the perfect vacation is always a disaster. That leads to terrible times. If you get lost and you just end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/trying-to-micromanage-the-perfect-vacation-is-always-a-disaster-that/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [If Elmore Leonard met Jim Thompson down a dark alley at midnight they might emerge a week later with thick beards, bloodshot eyes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/if-elmore-leonard-met-jim-thompson-down-a-dark-alley-at-midnight-they/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-ve-already-learned-haven-t-you-that-a-promise-made-is-not-always/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If you're feeling pain, express that to the Lord. If you're feeling worried, express those worries. One passage that gives me comfort is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-you-re-feeling-pain-express-that-to-the-lord-if-you-re-feeling/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. SEVER > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. 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