Fighting Against the Darkness

If we are honest with ourselves, we would all admit we struggle, we fight against the darkness. When we were young we didn’t understand it, comprehend it, or see it. Then, as we grew, as we got older, we began to know our darkness, we became aware of our sin, our desires, our inclinations that are not always inclined towards the good and turn towards the worse. Sometimes we do not mean to go into that darkness, but we are tempted by it, teased by it, surrounded by it.

Sometimes the darkness hovers over us like a cloud, encloses around us and sucks us dry, taking away our energy and our life. When the darkness comes some of us retreat, go into isolation, and hide ourselves from others. We don’t know how to express what we are feeling or why, don’t know how to understand or comprehend what is going on. For others of us the darkness is held at bay by distracting ourselves, by making sure we are busy with activities, schedules, and people; for if we are left alone it seems to come at us, not leaving us alone.

This darkness is real, every person, every Christian will face this darkness for as long as we stand in this world, because our struggles of the flesh, against Satan, against our desires will still cause us to struggle and stumble until the day when Christ comes and those chains are let loose. Until that time we all struggle, but the good news is this... We struggle because we are good, struggle because we care, struggle because we are growing and maturing. If we were not fighting against this darkness, we would only be giving in, giving up, letting ourselves be enslaved by the darkness. But Christ has something else for those of us who chose another path.

My dear brothers and sisters, do not ever feel like you have to deny this darkness. Understand this is a part of your life, of your journey, and the fight, the struggle is part of your story, part of what will make you grow up and mature. Every time you fight against the darkness and turn towards the light you are choosing goodness over evil, light over darkness, and Christ over the evil one.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12

You may have thoughts or addictions you cannot get over. You may have anger in your heart, tell lies, or feel the need to gossip. Perhaps you are bitter or negative, life seems dull and gray. Know that this is not the end, this is just a part of your story. Indeed, this will not be the only time you deal with darkness but each time you overcome, each time you choose the light, you become stronger and the devil loses another foothold in your life.

This past week Robin Williams died. He fell into the darkness and took his own life. People are stunned by this, hurt by this, shocked by this. The reason it hits us so hard is because he brought us laughter and enjoyment. Darkness; however, does not discriminate, the reality is there. Previously Rick Warrens son also committed suicide. This is sad, people wonder why, they wonder if they can fight against such darkness in their own lives.

What I can tell you today my dear friend is that Christ made a way for us to leave this darkness, and that while at this time we will still struggle against it, one day the struggle will end, light will be unleashed, and his Kingdom will be made real and darkness wiped clean.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” -Revelation 21:3-5a

I look forward to that day.

That is my hope.

That is why I fight.

Christ is what keeps my darkness at bay.

Close your eyes and listen to the song/video below.
Remember... there is a Light my friend!

Related: My Dark Night of the Soul

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~ Daniel Brockhan

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