This post is part of the devotional I was asked to write for a recently published devotional book called “Let Your Light Shine.” More details below.
Several months ago I woke up in the middle of a nightmare with a traumatic flashback fresh in my mind. My heart was racing, my chest was tight and my body was drenched in sweat. I tried to shove the memories playing in my head to the side, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of sheer panic. In my delirium I struggled to catch a breath and got up to splash some water on my face.
The cold water refreshed me as it washed away my beads of sweat, but seconds later I felt tears taking their place. Usually I would have stopped the water works from getting too out of control. You know, stuff the tears back where they came from. But this time, as the rolled down my cheek, I didn’t try to stop them. Like a rushing river I just let them flow.
I looked at myself in the mirror and scowled. What’s wrong with you? Seriously … you’re pathetic. You should be ashamed of yourself right now. I knew these thoughts were lies from the enemy, but the longer I stared at myself the more I started to consider them. Sure, there is always hope in Jesus, but part of me felt hopeless, like a Humpty-Dumpty who could never be put back together again.
Darkness has a way of making us question who we really are.
If you’ve seen any of the Star Wars movies, you’re probably familiar with the Force. There’s the Living Force (i.e. Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi) but there is also a Dark Side (i.e. the Sith and Darth Vader). Here’s the thing: Vader didn’t always belong to the Dark Side. Like so many of us he began his journey as an innocent, wide-eyed child of the day. But somewhere along the way the darkness found him, and it made him question who he was. Suddenly he was lost and confused — fighting a battle against light and dark while forgetting his true character.
Friends, we too face a similar battle each and every day. There is an enemy. There is darkness. And it will do everything it can to blindside us and steal our joy and identity in Christ.
On the night of my flashback several months ago, I was blindsided by my past — by something I thought I’d dealt with but was resurfacing once again. The darkness found me and the enemy was trying to beat me down.
But I know better.
And deep in my soul, I know the Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that threatens to overtake me.
For I know, as the Word says in 1 Thessalonians 5:5, that I am a daughter of the light and of the day; I don’t belong to darkness and night.
I am a child of God. A child of the light and of the day. A child with 24/7 access to joy, love, peace, hope and the power of the Holy Spirit. A child whose Daddy loves her no matter what. A child who can face the darkness because the light inside her can help her overcome anything.
Join me in reading the rest of this devotional that I wrote for Sweet to The Soul’s September “Light Shine” Bible study.
AMEN. He that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world. I am so thankful that Jesus Christ promised that those whom the Father gave me He wouldn’t lose, because I do struggle with assurance; I always have to keep going back to His promises.
Amen, amen, amen! Hope your Monday is going well, dear friend.
This year I have had several moments where I have felt completely overcome by some unexplainable feeling so darkness and hopelessness. I think I understand now what it means when the bible talks about spiritual warfare. It is very very real and scary.
But holding onto the promise that Jesus overcame the darkness and we can live as children of the light is wonderfully reassuring.
Oh dear Megan, how I can relate to that feeling of darkness and hopelessness. The enemy likes to torment us with this, but it’s not the kind of life Jesus offers us and calls us to! I have found that simply calling on the name of Jesus helps so much whenever life feels dark. He is mighty to save! Love you, sweet girl.
I love this!!! I struggle with believing the lies of the enemy too. The only way I can defeat them is to turn my attention and focus to God, and let Him do the fighting for me. Thank you for sharing this wonderful reminder. 🙂
Dear sister, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I am praying that God would continually strengthen you to keep believing His truths for your life. His word is the only thing that can help us overcome the enemy’s lies. Love and hugs!!
Good for you fighting the darkness with truth, Lauren. The Word offers us such hope and strength to stand firm when we call on it. I’m praying for you to continually overcome, dear friend. You’re on the right track and I know our God is able to keep you strong.
Amen, Marva! God is able and in Him we overcome. 🙂
Darkness has a way of making us question who we really are. Profound!
What an encouraging word, Lauren! I love this line, “The Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that threatens to overtake me.” Amen! So true!
I’m blessed by you~
Melanie
Thankful for this powerful truth! “The Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that threatens to overtake me.” Such truth to stand and proclaim! Thanks for sharing Lauren.
Amen, friend! His light is more powerful than any darkness! It cancels out all darkness and all fear! Thanks so much for sharing this powerful hope at #MomentsofHope! You are a blessing!
Hugs,
Lori
Yes to this: “The Jesus inside of me is stronger than the darkness that threatens to overtake me.” I didn’t know you were part of this project too. I love your contribution here, friend. Love your rebrand as well. Blessings to you and your ministry.
Love, love, love this Lauren! Thanks for great reminders of how we need to focus on the Light of this world in everything we do, say etc. Happy to share!
Therapy It has been shown that regular exercise is one way to maintain and reach optimal health. The quantity of period, work as well as cash that the rivals possess spent in to SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION such as hyperlink creating, content creation as well as distribution, may usually impact as well as figure out how a lot you need to to have comparable outcomes. John Skelton (Arizona): I admit, I did not see Skelton play in college.Working for internet marketers is great because you can do it on your own schedule from your home. The ration should be two times as much Omega6 as Omega3.