Light Overcomes Darkness

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5

Darkness is first introduced in the Bible in Genesis 1:2 "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Darkness is said to be the absence of light. There are shades of light that can be present such as dim or low light. Rarely do you find yourself saying "low dark." Darkness is point blank: empty, dark, and the absence of any light. But the moment that some light appears, darkness begins to be pushed out and moved from the space in which it was occupying. This is the daily reminder that He is for you. The light peaking through, pushing the darkness out and opening your eyes to His grace, mercy, and love.

He is described as "the light." He is "the light." He is "light." In your own life experience of darkness, whether this be daily trials, or the experiences of depression and anxiety, it is dark in those moments. In those moments the light is absent. At least it can feel that way. I would challenge people to pause in those moments and see whether or not there is actually some source of light, even in its faintest most dim form.

Depression and anxiety are trials and tribulations, there is no argument against that. The symptoms related to these are plenty and they are experienced on various levels of intensity for each and every person. And all people experience to some extent these moments. You do not have to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety to experience it, the experience is already there. The same way that darkness is already there. This is where the importance of light comes. Where there is darkness, you need light. You need Him.

John chapter 1 introduces you to the physical form of God through His son Jesus. Not only that but John introduces you to Jesus as: the word, the life, and the light (John 1:1, 4-5). It is through Him that all things were made, including you. Read that again: Including Y O U. He came because of the darkness that was overcoming the world at the time. He came so that the world could experience the light. He came so that the world could be adopted as children of God (John 1:12). And He comes, when darkness is overcoming you. He comes, when you allow Him, to be part of these moments to push out the darkness and to bring light into whatever situation you are experiencing.

The darkness that comes with depression and anxiety may be small in comparison at times, but even the faintest of darkness deserves to be pushed out by the light that is Him. The darkness has no place in your life. Darkness leads to bumps, bruises, missteps, and struggles. Even when in darkness for a short time, there is the risk of damage coming from it. Think about the distance from your door to the first light switch, the stubbed toe, the banged knee, the trip over a shoe, etc. Think about the first thought of panic when the lights go out in the night, the initial worry, the quick negative thought, the rush to find a source of light. It does not matter how long the darkness lasts, the fact that you quickly seek light in all experiences of darkness is the truth. You use light to prevent yourself from having harm come to you,(think flashlight on your phone, or candles to walk down the hallway in a blackout) this is the same in Him. This is the same in managing depression and anxiety. The desire to prevent harm, and seek safety.

Even when you know the layout around you, you still seek light. You do not stop looking for the flashlight just because this is the third or fourth blackout this year. Each time you go for the flashlight. This is the same for those experiencing depression and anxiety. You may have had experience with these symptoms, this may not be your first time in these moments, but that does not change the fact that you will continue to seek safety and seek light. You will not allow yourself to stay in the darkness, just because it is something that you have gone through before.

Seek the light. Seek Him.

Scripture:

John 1

John 1:1, 4-5

John 1:4

John 1:5

John 1:12

Questions:

Where is your source of light? Map out where you find your light in your home, in your community.

How does the experience of depression and anxiety change when you open your life to His light?

How have you been the light for someone going through depression and anxiety? How has someone been the light for you?

Prayer:

Lord, heavenly Father. You were present in the beginning, and present throughout it all. You knew me when you made me. You knew me when I did not know myself. And you called me yours. Lord in the darkness, you flush it out with light. You flush it out with life. You bring light into ever corner of the darkness of my life and I am so blessed and grateful. There is no better source of light than yours and your son. Lord, I pray for those who are experiencing darkness and those who are struggling. I know that this darkness does not last forever, I know that there is hope and light in you. I pray that others seek and find you in their darkness. No matter how many times they find themselves in darkness, your light never burns out. Thank you for being an everlasting light to the world around us and within us. I pray all of this in your sons name. Amen.