Scared of the Dark?

 

Many people experience nyctophobia, a fear of the dark. Even though I don't have that fear, I can understand why people are scared to be stuck in the dark. I've experienced being stuck in the dark many times in Honduras for hours and hours- darkness so thick and dark you can't see your hands, feet, the floor, anything. It's inconvenient to be without power, especially when your friends use that to their advantage to scare you. 😂 Of course our physical life isn't the only place we experience darkness. We may feel completely in the dark about a decision to make. Not knowing or being able to see the path may make us afraid. We can't see the next step to take, much less a few feet down the path. And I've been there. That definitely can be a scary place, a place of uncertainty. But according to Psalm 119:104-105, God's word provides enough light for our next step. Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I was recently reading through Psalms and kept noticing verses talking about light, so I found some more verses relating to light/darkness. Let's look at them. 

~ Job 29:3 (Job speaking) O that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; when his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

~ Psalm 18:28   For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 27:1 (first part)  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 

Psalm 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Psalm 89:15  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. 

Psalm 112:4  Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 

Ecclesiastes 2:13   Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 

Isaiah 50:10  Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. 

Micah 7:8 (last part)  . . . when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. 

Luke 1:79 (referring to what Jesus was going to do)  . . . to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

John 12:46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Light disperses darkness. So if you have believed on Jesus, even though you may walk through the darkness sometimes, you definitely don't have to stay there. God is light. His word is light. He gives us the tool we need to light our next step and disperse the darkness around us. If you're stuck with a decision to make or feel lost in the darkness because you don't know which way to go, tap into the light - God's word - and do it every day. Be patient as you seek God because remember, his timing is not always ours. And as a child of God, take comfort in knowing that he walks through the darkness with you.  💡