In The Darkest of Days There Is Always a Light

 

“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 have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

There’s light at the end of the tunnel – has anyone ever said that to you? It is an expression used quite often. 

Have you ever had a day filled with darkness? 

Many years ago, I had a friend who couldn't see the light at all. My friend must have believed there was no way out of the serious  situation she found herself in. 

She died by her own hand. 

Her ending has haunted me through the years. I’ve wondered about our last conversation.

If I would have said yes to her invitation to spend time with her, would she have had hope? Would she have had some light brought into the dark period of her life. 

I don't judge her. I mourn for her. I mourn she didn’t get the help needed that would have brought light to her darkness. 

I also had a friend who lay in a coma and the doctors told her son all test show there is no life left. He refused to take her off life support no matter what he was told. 

A few days later she woke up and went into rehab and then back to her life. 

He focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I then had another loved one in a coma and no matter what encouraging words we said to the person in charge of her medical decisions, that person could not see any light at the end of the tunnel after hearing all of the reports. 

Very sadly, we had to say goodbye. 

Lately it seems there is one dark story after another.

I remember a challenging time in my life that seemed hopeless. 

I felt trapped. 

One day, I received news that was very joyous for someone I love. I was so happy for that person, but it drove a knife clear to the core of my daily struggle. 

I had to drive home after hearing the news, on a dangerous, dark country road. Despite being happy for my friend, I cried for me as I drove. 

One of the intersections on that country road, a person had to be extra cautious before pulling out from the stop sign, due to the visibility problem of seeing the oncoming traffic. That intersection had a history of car wrecks that sometimes resulted in deaths. 

I came up to that stop sign with tears pouring down my face. To my surprise, a scary thought went through my mind. Wonder if I didn't put my foot on the brake? Wonder if I didn't stop? 

Terrified by that thought, I cried out to Jesus, and put my foot on the brake. I made it home safely that night.

My life did end up changing for the better. Not overnight, but it did. 

At the time though, I couldn’t see hope regarding my situation. 

Sometimes, darkness can make it hard to see any light at all. 

However – this is the TRUTH - Jesus is the light of the world. 

He is the one true light that gives hope, encouragement, and truth to get a person through any situation.

Jesus sees more than the moment. Jesus knows the plans He has for our life. 

Sometimes when times or situations do look dark a change of perspective from another believer really helps.

This is a simple story, but it really taught me to look at things differently - one Christmas I watched my neighbors putting up lights and bringing in Christmas trees. I felt sad, because I love Christmas time, and where I lived at the time celebrating Christmas in the home wasn’t allowed. 

I complained to one of my mentors of how it broke my heart to look out the window and see all the Christmas celebration in the neighborhood and my house stood dark. 

She simply said, “What if God put up all of those lights just for you to see and enjoy since you are unable to have them in your home.”

I went home that night and sat at my living room window enjoying the display of Christmas lights, thanking God for them.

I know life is harder than that, but sometimes, light comes back into our lives one small step at a time. 

Just like on a cloudy day, we can’t see the sun shining, yet it does shine on a cloudy day. And when the clouds start to wisp away, we can see bits of it. When the clouds finally move out of sight, the sun again shines brightly in the sky.

(Note to reader – if you are suffering from thoughts that hurt you, or are planning to hurt yourself in anyway, or hurt someone, please talk to someone and get help. If someone is hurting you, please leave as soon as you can and get help in a safe place, if needed try to call 911. And please pray to Jesus, He is truly, truly the Light that shines in the darkness.)