Being a Light When I Am Hurting

This past week has been heartbreaking. Lives lost in such tragic and terrible ways. It seems more and more these days we hear of horrible things happening. How can we be a light to those around us when things are so dark? How can those of us who are grieving or going through our own hardships be the light of Christ when our own world feels so dark? There are some days it's hard to even get out of bed and do what is essential, let alone pour into other people.

Remember, His light dispels the darkness! His truth sets people free. His Spirit fills us with love and power so that we can share His love and truth with others. There is also healing that comes from stepping outside of yourself and helping others.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

If last week has shown us anything, it is that we, as believers, need to stand up and share Christ's love and truth with others. That may look different for each of us. Some of us may be called to share publicly, while for others it may be inviting a neighbor over for coffee and finding little ways to minister to them.

Now, I know this may be challenging for some of you. It's challenging for me. For so many years, the fear of man has kept my mouth shut. More and more, as the Lord works in my heart and I draw closer to Him, that fear has started to disappear. 1 John 4:18-19 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." God's love is perfect, and as we draw closer to Him, His love replaces the fear that cripples us. If you struggle with the fear of man...fear of rejection...fear of being misunderstood...let me challenge you with this: seek God. Spend time with Him. Get to know Him, and as you do, He will begin to change you into His image. He will replace fear with courage, hate with love, and bitterness with forgiveness.

Let me leave you with one more passage. It's Matthew 5:14-16, and it talks about how we are to be a light for Christ. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Father God,

Thank you for my dear friend reading this. Please be with them and encourage them as they seek to be a light for you. Let them shine brightly, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Draw them to yourself, and as they do, let your love pour out of them into the lives of those around them. Do not let fear of man keep them from sharing your love and truth with others. The time is short, and many still do not know you. Let the love of Christ consume us so that the light of Christ shines brightly through us.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen