Pushing Away the Darkness

Wow, this is a dark time in our country, isn't it?

Disrespect, discord, distrust, disgruntled, discrimination, discontented, discouraged. The 'dis-es' are one of the biggest pandemics infecting our culture today. 

Do you find it hard not to get sucked into the darkness?

I do.

Until...

I look to the Light.

Love, peace, forgiveness and strength come from the Light and his name is Jesus. When I focus on Jesus, the darkness fades away. 

 Have you tried this when the darkness overwhelms you?

There are times that I forget darkness is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of light. When I let the Light of the World fill my mind and heart, the darkness is pushed away.  " When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12.

I know this is true but it can be very hard to focus on anything but the worries and fear swirling in my brain in the blackest part of the night.  For many years, when my thoughts became anxious in the middle of the night, I would talk with my Father God.  Eventually I started finding myself thinking about all of the 'bad stuff' instead of praying about it and the night would gradually become darker and heavier on my soul.

Recently, I have begun to fill my mind with praise songs when the worrying starts and the darkness threatens. Remember - darkness is the absence of light. When I let the words and the melodies of some of my favorite praise songs repeat over and over in my mind, my thoughts become filled with the Light. It doesn't take very long before my fears and concerns are replaced by reminders of Jesus' love and care for me. He brings peace and security.....

and sleep.

His Light shines in the darkness.