Light in the Dark

October 24, 2022

Everywhere you look or listen you sense darkness creeping in. Maybe it is even happening to you. There are so many sources of discouragement in this fallen world, sometimes it seems to be a wonder that anyone is happy.

It’s discouraging to watch your marriage that once was warm and welcoming turn cold and distant. It’s heartbreaking to be betrayed by a friend. It’s disappointing to lose the job where you worked long and hard for success. A sickness that you’re not sure you’ll ever lick is a daily battle. It’s disillusioning and consuming to face the rebellion and/or rejection of a child you watched grow with great hope. Political and government corruption are disheartening. The mammoth division in our nation is painful and terrifying. It’s a huge burden to carry our concerns about crime and injustice. It’s tough to deal with the weaknesses and challenges of old age. Mockery and rejection over your faith is hard.

Have you ever felt that too many things in your life are in the process of decaying, dying, or diminishing? For all of us some things are true: People die, dreams die, flowers die, and marriages, churches, jobs, and friendships go bad.

Just looking around with eyes open will show you that this once fresh and splendid world that God created isn’t doing very well. In many ways, it’s a hard, discouraging place to live. The downward spiral of fallen humanity is massive. The biggest discouragement is that you feel powerless to make much of a change. You do everything you can to restore your marriage, but it just seems stuck. She won’t see your side; he refuses to take a step in your direction. You know you don’t have the power to change other people and you only have limited power to alter situations. Your life is controlled or at least affected by things you are hopeless to change. So where in the world can we find encouragement? What can bring light into our darkness?

Jesus Christ—forever the Light of the World.

Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV

He assured us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

Dallas Willard, a constant purveyor of hope and light in darkness, said, “The soul is the life center of human beings. If your soul is healthy, no external circumstance can destroy your life. If your soul is unhealthy, no external circumstance can redeem your life.”

You don’t need to give way to discouragement, feelings of futility, or waves of fear. You can learn how to trust and follow the One who offers peace and security and even joy in this broken world.

On Wednesday, November 2,  we hosted Dr. Tammy Smith, author and licensed professional counselor with a PhD in psychology. She will walked us through practical tools on how to find peace in an ever-changing world. Watch the recording here and share it with your family, friends, and co-workers so that they can learn to live in a world that can be overwhelming.