How to Fight the Darkness

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

It is funny how a simple analogy can sometimes remind you of a deep truth.

The analogy of light overcoming darkness is used many times in the Bible. But take just a moment and think of the actual situation it is describing. If you walk into a dark room, you don't chase away the darkness with more darkness. Opening the door to a second dark room does nothing. But flipping on a light changes everything.

What if we really took this profound analogy to heart?

If we did...

...we might learn that the way to overcome fear is not to identify a scapegoat (individual or group) and encourage fear of that scapegoat.

...we might learn that the way to overcome anger at someone is not to stew in the anger and let it fester, thus breeding more anger.

...we might learn that the way to overcome division is not to explain whose fault the division is, thus causing more division.

...we might learn that the way to overcome a broken relationship is not more silence and distance, as that will only perpetuate the brokenness.

Today, I don't know where you need light in your life...but I know the source of light. It looks like a deep breath, a prayer for peace, a prayer for forgiveness (of yourself and others), and a prayer for the courage to break old patterns.

My prayer for all of us today...is that those dark places in our lives...wherever they are...be flooded with light today. May we all have the courage to live in the light.

PRAYER:
God of light, we need your love, your peace, your forgiveness, and your power to forgive. Bathe us in light today, and shine through us. Amen.