When You Need a Promise of Hope

December 8, 2015 by betsydecruz 43 Comments

Back in the days when my children were small, an urgent voice would often wake me out of a dead sleep at night:

“Mom!”

I’d jolt up, wondering what emergency brought my 5 year old daughter into the room to wake up her poor, exhausted mother. Was she sick? Was the house on fire?

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

I wanted so badly to say, “You woke me up for this?” Instead, I’d zip my lip, crowbar myself out of bed, and stagger down the hall to turn on the bathroom light. I knew Camilla wanted the security of my presence. She also wanted me to turn on that light because she was scared of the dark.

I don’t like the darkness either.

We recently had a gloomy rain week. The sun didn’t come out even once, and by the third day, I was longing for light. Even without rain, dark days come. Days when depression overwhelms, insecurity knocks, or doubt trips us up.

Jesus gives us a promise of hope for dark days:

John 8:12

Our Savior brings the blessings of light:

• Light dispels darkness: John explained it like this: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)  In the physical world, light always triumphs. Flip on a light switch at night, and darkness disappears.
• Light brings joy: Don’t you feel a small surge of delight when you light a candle or see pretty Christmas lights?
• Light illumines our path: No one drives a car on a dark night without turning headlights on. We need light to show us our way.

We have the promise of light as long as we stick to our Savior.

Do you ever feel like you’re in the dark? Tight finances, sick kids, and job stress can bring on the clouds. The holidays can be hard for those who experienced loss this year. We have a sure promise from our Savior: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Let’s stay close to the Light with these simple steps:

Call on Him

Call on Jesus. Nothing delights Him more than hearing your simplest prayer:  “Jesus, come and be my light.”

Trust in Him

Sometimes the darkness seems overwhelming, yet Jesus always shines enough light on our path to show us the next step. If you’re discouraged, your next step might be to get out of bed, to step out into the sunshine, or to reach for your bible to see what God will speak to your heart.  Trust Jesus and take that step.

Rest in Him

What about the times when darkness and discouragement don’t seem to lift? Keep resting in Jesus. He’ll keep your lamp burning, and sooner or later He’ll turn you’re your darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28)

Stay close to Him

As you go about your day, remember that Jesus is close by. Lift up a prayer to Him as you do your work. Thank Him for the little blessings you see. And when problems come up, ask for His help.

Even on dark days, we have a reason to smile if we stick close to Jesus. We have hope. The Light of the World dispels darkness, brings joy, and illumines our path.

Now it’s your turn: How do you find hope on the hard days? How have you experienced Jesus as Light of the World?

 

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Linking up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Tell His Story,  Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.