He is the Light in Our Darkness
If a life has been filled with pain, darkness and hurt, what would that person expect to hear and see from GOD's Word?
The LORD GOD has to be our life's hope. He must be the Light by which we see.
The words attributed to GOD for someone experiencing profound pain and darkness often emphasize themes of comfort, unconditional love, presence, purpose, and the promise of eventual healing and light.
If a person would remember these famously comforting words, "You are not alone", it would go a long way with their recovery. The promise to be "near to the broken" cannot be overlooked.
The statement "GOD's Presence is near" reflects a core belief across many faiths, suggesting the One Who created every man is accessible and intimately involved in our lives, not distant. "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in Truth" Psalm 145:18
"GOD is near to the brokenhearted" –Psalm 34:18
"Immanuel (GOD with us)" informs all who believe in the nearness of GOD that He is ultimately expressed through Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), Who is called Immanuel —Matthew 1:23
His true followers also believe the Holy Spirit dwells within them, ensuring GOD's constant Presence. That very Presence assures the individual that even in their darkest moments, they are not forsaken or abandoned.
There are no other Words that offer a way to see beyond their current suffering. In whatever the situation of life, hope promises a time where pain will be replaced with peace and His purpose for that person.
GOD's Word is filled with Messages that evoke resilience and the power to assist one to endure the present difficulties. The commitment to faith in the Words of GOD gives strength for the journey.
Every Word of GOD has the promise of restoration associated with it. Regardless of the suffrage, it is not the end of their story, but that healing and renewal are possible.
ADONAI’s Words are meant to provide solace, inspire toughness, and offer a path toward emotional and spiritual deliverance. If you are struggling with pain and darkness, please know that you can find support and people who care.
Jesus being the “Light in our darkness" is a powerful image. This picture is often found prevalent in a spiritual context, and refers to finding hope, guidance, and truth through faith during challenging or despairing times.
If you are new to this type of subject, or have been affiliated with these circles, but only on the fringes, light and darkness are common symbols see in the Bible. Darkness often represents sin, ignorance, confusion, despair, suffering, or a separation from the LORD of creation. Light symbolizes this same Creator’s Presence, Truth, purity, Holiness, knowledge, guidance, and Salvation.
“GOD is Light!”
Let’s take the moment to think about this proclamation. If you are not affiliated or familiar with that phrase, "GOD is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" –1 John 1:5, these next few words may be of some help to you, if you are possibly seeking Him or searching for answers or closure. This means He is Perfectly Holy and True, and sin cannot exist in His Presence.
Jesus, the Creator’s Son, proclaimed, "I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" –John 8:12
Following Jesus means receiving clarity, hope, and purpose, even in difficult circumstances. How would that be possible? His Spirit will guide, show and teach you things about the Father. That will come through guidance. King David said these words, "Your Word is a Lamp for my feet, a Light on my path" –Psalm 119:105, indicating that GOD's Teachings provide practical direction through life's challenges. I can certainly attest to that. I have found myself in some really bleak places in my life. The only way I was able to see through it was, He shone His Light at the place I was to step. I was empowered and strengthened by the Truth of His Word and Spirit that enabled me to overcome the darkness. Again, that "Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome It" —John 1:5. This guarantees believers that GOD's Light is more powerful than any despair or evil.
You say, “All of that is fine and dandy, but what is a person has become hardened and emotionally blind?”
I will say THIS… I’ve learned that being emotionally blind has a significant connection to spiritual distancing because an inability to process internal feelings creates barriers to the deep emotional awareness, connection, and vulnerability often required for a vibrant spiritual life. You must want to be connected to life. You have to seek it. You will find it in GOD’s Word! The link between emotional blindness and spiritual distancing works primarily through choice and behavior.
The effort (act) of intimacy and connection (spiritual) often relies on familiarity and mutual emotional discovery. Since emotionally blind individuals struggle to articulate their inner world and respond to others' emotional cues, they may struggle to form the authentic, deep relationships that foster spiritual growth. Is that you? Could that be you, or someone you know?
I meet and talk with many people who are struggling and wrestling in the very real worlds of “emotional barriers” and “apathy”. Trauma is a really good destroyer and thief in unresolved emotional pain. Where there is pain, there will likely be (or lead to) numbness of expression, passion and sensitivity—which acts as a protective mechanism.
Consider the many levels, areas and layers of abuse. How many protective mechanisms can you think of that may be holding you back from fully committed to GOD or your spouse? Why is that? You have not found the Way to hope and safety (which are doorways to trust).
This detachment and resulting apathy can block access to deeper parts of life, leading to a state of spiritual disengagement or "deadness".
As I mentioned earlier, “The only way I was able to see through it was, Yeshua shined His Light at the place I was to step. I was empowered and strengthened by the Truth of His Word and Spirit. They permitted me to overcome the darkness. Again, that "Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome It." —John 1:5
What if a person is religious, or spiritual. Can they be spiritually blind to the Truth of Almighty GOD and His Son, Jesus? Yes! WITHOUT a doubt!
This is so because, spiritual blindness is the inability or unwillingness to perceive, understand, and accept the Truth of GOD’s existence and the reality of His Presence and will.
It is not a physical condition but a serious state of the mind (and heart) that prevents a person from "seeing" Jesus Christ and the Light of the Scriptures.
Were you aware that a spiritually blind person cannot understand or accept things that come from the Spirit of GOD? These Truths I am sharing right now seem like foolishness to them. They may see the physical creation but fail to perceive a Creator. He/she may even be connected to their inner conscience but is unable to connect it all to the Source of it all.
It would be THIS condition that is alienating each and every individual from the life of GOD, leading them to walk in moral darkness without true purpose or direction.
There is always a struggle in the struggle. What is that? If you took a few moments to ponder that, you would likely come up with the feeling of constant internal conflict within.
There is a war going on inside every human, the battle is “the choice”. You and I were given “a certain amount of faith” at our creation. It takes faith you believe, to disbelieve, to doubt and to ignore the truth that is embedded in each of us. It is the ongoing battle to maintain faith, hope, and obedience to GOD despite our human weakness, doubt, and worldly temptations.
What are YOU going to do with your INNER CONFLICT?
Paul provides a profound description of this inner conflict: "…for I do not understand what I am doing, for I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate". He describes the tension between his desire to do good and the sin that still dwells within him, leading to his cry, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" –Romans 7:24
Jacob (Israel) wrestled with GOD (Genesis 32:24-28) all night. This was a physical manifestation of his deep internal and spiritual struggle. After the encounter, he was renamed Israel, which means "he struggles with GOD", symbolizing that struggle can be a pathway to transformation and a deeper relationship with GOD.
David often poured out his inner turmoil, sadness, and worry in the Psalms, questioning GOD while simultaneously reaffirming his hope and trust in Him. This honest dialogue with his soul models how believers can address their own struggles through prayer and reflection.
Yeshua (Jesus) in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46): Jesus, in His humanity, experienced intense inner conflict when facing the suffering of the cross. His prayer, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will," reveals the tension between human desire and divine purpose.
Life has its struggles, but serving GOD’s Son is the est way to endure it all. Sometimes, being able and capable of seeing where we are walking is a great ability to have.
Will you trust Him today? “He is the shepherd Who sees”.