Shoving my carry-on in the overhead compartment, I slide in and take the window seat. I slip my tote bag underneath the seat in front of me, click my seatbelt into place and gaze out into the thick, grey sky. The sun is nowhere to be seen and the mood is overtly depressive. Pushing away from the jet bridge, we make our way to the runway and the bus on wings lifts off the ground.
Halfway through our climb, a ball of red light on the horizon catches my eye. Lost in a stare as I question where it’s coming from, we break through the clouds and my eyelids slam shut. Through squinted eyes, I discover its source — the sun. An intense, fiery orange-red sun kisses the top of the clouds with a soft red glow.
Despite its brightness, I can’t stop myself from looking because the sight is brilliant.
Amazed, I’m struck by the fact that the city beneath me is blanketed with gloom, yet here, I’m blinded by the sun. And then it hits me. How often do I feel overcome by darkness, forgetting the truth that the sun is just above the clouds? No matter how dark the skies are, or how heavy the storm is, the sun never leaves. We might not see it, but that doesn’t mean it took the day off allowing darkness to overcome it.
Darkness is powerful. It tricks us into believing the shadow around the corner is an attacker waiting to strike. It conceals thieves as they carry out their loot in the middle of the night. It promotes sadness — so much so that there’s literally a seasonal depression caused by lack of light.
But the crazy thing is, all it takes to defeat darkness is to expose it to the light.
In John 1:4-5 Paul says:
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Just as the sun is not overtaken by a cloudy day, our God cannot be overcome by darkness. Through Christ’s victory on the cross, no evil that stands a chance. But we can’t sit idle. As followers of Christ, we need to be active participants in the battle and bring light into the darkness.
As one who struggles with frequent nightmares, whenever I’m jolted awake I instantly reach for my light switch. Taking deep breaths, I wrestle with fear as the light brings me back to reality. But one night, instead of scrambling for the light, I scrambled for Scripture. In the blackness of my bedroom, whispering any piece of His truth I could think of, and proclaiming the victory in Jesus’ name, I never found the need to turn on the light because the darkness already fled.
God’s light eradicated the darkness.
God gave us His word so we might get to know Him and understand the work of Christ, but He also gave it to us so we might use it in the battle against darkness. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Paul says:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Through Christ we have been given divine power to demolish strongholds; all we have to do is take our role seriously and use the tools He has given us.
I don’t ever want to forget that the sun is just above the clouds, or feel like I’m stuck in the darkness of my nightmares. I want to write Scripture on my heart, so at any moment I might be like a flashlight, beaming His light into the tiniest nooks and crannies of life. And my prayer is that you might join me.
Together, let’s lean into the Light that will never be overcome. Let’s use Scripture as a weapon. Through Christ, let’s obliterate the darkness.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Mindy,
Yes, scripture is a powerful weapon. Since the enemy cannot read our minds, I often speak scripture and the name of Jesus out loud because at the name of Jesus, the enemy must flee. I also love Exodus 14:14: The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. So many times I get caught up in fighting the darkness on my own, when I have the power of the Holy Spirit within me who will fight for me. Sometimes all we can do is claim the truth of scripture, stand firm, and let the almighty Lord deliver us. Thanks for a timely reminder of truth.
Blessings,
Bev
Mindy says
Hi Bev! I love your reminder about literally speaking the words and name of Jesus out loud- it is so true and incredibly powerful! Thanks for sharing that Exodus verse; I love that! I need to memorize and remember that one because you’re right, He fights for us and it’s so important that we recognize that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Michele Morin says
Thanks, Mindy — I, too, have found that the only thing that will beat back the darkness is regular infusions of Truth. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my Life. Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Mindy says
Hi Michele! It is so true, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing Psalm 27:1. It’s such a powerful verse. I love how it reminds us that we need not be afraid but also proclaims that the darkness doesn’t stand a chance against God.
dcisek says
Hi Mindy, I really needed this today!
Thank you 🙂
(also, you write really well!! It was actually a pleasure to read through your devotion – beyond the spiritual aspect.)
Mindy says
Hello! I’m glad that this was an encouragement to you – thank you Lord! And thank you SO much for your kind words about my writing! That means a lot – I really appreciate the encouragement.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Yes!
Mindy says
🙂
Beth Williams says
Mindy,
I pray our lights can shine brightly and completely overtake the darkness. We need to put on the full armor of God-Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace on our feet, shield of faith, helmet of salvation. and the sword of spirit. Our fight is against the darkness of this world and the spiritual forces of evil in Heavenly realms. The more we use the sword of the spirit and pronounce it loudly the more the evil one will flee. We will be letting in more sunshine!
Blessings 🙂
Mindy says
Hi Beth! Amen amen amen. I appreciate your reminder to be putting on the armor of God. You are right – the more we pronounce His name the more He will flee! It’s so awesome how God has blessed us with that power through Jesus.
Mindy says
Hi Stephanie! I am so glad to hear that this was helpful for you – praise the Lord!! Nightmares are the worst aren’t they? I totally get the desire to turn on the TV. I’ve done that before, watch a little “happy tv” as I call it haha and try to rid my mind of the icky thoughts. But you’re right – nothing will overcome the darkness like His truth. I have found it so helpful to memorize verses like 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 so that in those moments in my bedroom, I have them ready for action. I’m praying that next time a nightmare shakes you up, scripture is the first thing on your mind and on your tongue. And just like you said, full speed ahead toward Him – I love that 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this with me. xoxo
Stephanie says
They really are terrible! Lol. Thank you for praying for me and I will continue to pray for you! That scripture is absolutely beautiful and will definitely help me through those times of anxiety. Thanks for the reply and blessings. Have a blessed night and sweet dreams! Xoxo
An says
Oh Mindy, I thank the Lord for this beautiful reminder of His truth. Jesus truly is our light in the darkness, giving us what we need to take that one baby step of trust, helping us to use those tools, that armor. I can empathize with nightmares and your story about how His truth never fails is one of His hope and grace that I have seen in my life too, to His glory. How He helps us to guard our hearts and minds with scripture prayer over our lives is such a blessing 🙂 May He help each of us to remember His Sword, to be covered with His armor, as we lift our voices in praise of His victory that never fails.
Mindy says
Hi An! I am sad to hear that you, too, understand the struggle of nightmares but I am so glad that you have seen His hope and grace as a light in the darkness. It really is such a huge blessing that we have an amazing God who guards our hearts. I love your last line – as we lift our voices in praise of His victory that never fails. Such a beautiful and powerful visual – AMEN!!!!