Faith, Hope

Darkness: Seeing the Light

Jeanne Takenaka
Moon shimmering on some clouds and rising above tree branches

Byine Lisa Jordan

When I was seven years old, I had a nightmare there was a snake in my bed.

I rushed into the living room where my parents had been watching TV. My dad took a flashlight into my bedroom, pulled back the covers, and shined his light to prove the snake was not there.

It wasn’t real . . . only a dream.

It felt so real in fact that I still remember the details over forty years later . . . and snakes continue to be my greatest fear.

But isn’t that what darkness does?

Picture of a black sky and a red moon during an eclipse

It creates a void that prevents light from coming in. Our fears grow into nightmares preventing us from seeing reality. 

Even as an adult, I sometimes fear the dark because I can’t see where I’m going or know what’s coming at me.

A handful of years ago, our family walked through a very difficult time, which included my husband and me losing both of our fathers just over a year apart. Those losses changed us. 

One night, with the loss of my father still fresh on my heart, I crawled in bed with my grief wrapped around me and sobbed into my pillow. Darkness surrounded me as I cried out to God with an anguished spirit. 

But then a silvery light crept through a slit in our curtains and stretched across my bed. I pulled back the curtains to see the most beautiful moon shining over me and bathing me in light. 

A cloud speckled white moon reflecting through the clouds and silhouetting tree branches

In my darkness, God saw my grief and shined his light.

I needed to look up to see it.

When we walk through the trials of life, darkness can descend and obscure our way, leaving us to stumble down a path pitted with grief, despair, and anguish.

How many times have you tried to walk that path alone with only your feelings of loss, rejection, and heartache keeping you company? Instead of offering hope, that darkness left permanent scars on your heart. 

There is hope. 

Picture of the moon rising above the ocean

No matter what darkness pervades your spirit, God is there, waiting to offer ligMeht to help you find your way.

When God created the world, He called light into existence. The earth had been formless and empty. And dark. But God knew we needed light for existence and survival. And He provided.

Then God knew we needed more—we needed Light for eternal life. 

He gave us Jesus.

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

John 1:5

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

Meme that says: "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" on a backdrop of a moon shining through clouds

Oh, what glorious promises Jesus offers us!

No one will deny life is tough, especially with a global pandemic, injustice, abuse, political uproar, and other forms of darkness threatening to snuff out our light. 

But God offers the promises from His Word to light our way. We simply need to look up to see the Light. 

What about you? When darkness shadows your path, what will you do to see the light and find your way?

Click to Tweet: But God knew we needed light for existence and survival

I’m linking up with #RaRaLinkup and #AnitaOjeda

Bio: Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Management, Lisa is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. Her latest book, Season of Hope, released in March 2019. She is the operations manager for Novel Academy, powered by My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for over thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, and being creative with words, fibers, and photos. Visit her at lisajordanbooks.com

Published by Jeanne Takenaka

Award winning aspiring novelist, Jeanne Takenaka, writes contemporary inspirational fiction that tackles real life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and those around them. She lives near the mountains in Colorado with her amazing husband and two exuberant boy-men. She loves being God’s girl—always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. When she’s not writing you can find her with a camera in her hand, looking for #alittlebitofpretty in her days.

26 thoughts on “Darkness: Seeing the Light”

  2. Jeanne & Lisa, this is a beautiful and encouraging post. I found myself humming and realized these words were going through my mind: “When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.” Blessings to you both!

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  6. I love the image of darkness creating a void. Maybe we need that void to ALLOW the light to come in. God’s light is a beacon of hope. It is always shining for us. We just have to look up to see it. I needed to read this post today. Thank you!

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  7. These verses about light are great reminder. The darkness can feel overwhelming at times and it is so important to hold onto the hope we have in the truth that God’s light is always stronger!

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  8. So good. Darkness gets hard, but letting God’s light shine into it is a great way to chase away the fear. God conquers ALL.

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    1. Jessica, darkness can get hard to walk through, to endure. But your words are good reminders that we are never alone, and we have God’s light and presence to chase away the fear. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  10. The darkness is around me now,
    hell’s in full attack,
    and so I find the method how
    to shine a deeper black.
    I’ll kill them at their own game,
    my heel willl crush their heads;
    Vengeance is my ancient name,
    and it’s they that will be dead.
    I wish it could be otherwise,
    but we’re bent unto the task;
    at least there will be surprise
    when I remove steel mask
    which covered full, all the while,
    a soft and maybe wistful smile.

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    1. Andrew, this is beautiful. You will definitely be the victor in the final battle, because that battle has already been won by the One who loves you best. Thank you for pressing on and encouraging even in this season. I’m praying for you, my friend.

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  11. This is so beautiful as l worry about my earthly dad and look up to my heavenly dad with hope! Thank you!

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  12. Oh Lisa and Jeanne … God is so gracious to meet us in our grief with reminders of His love and beauty. Thank you for this beautiful post …

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