In Bright or Dim Lights – Let’s See Him!

The Lights

One thing I love during the fall and winter is seeing lights. Some are very bright and some are rather dim, low lights and some are candles. Either way, they are beautiful! I’ve been thinking of this as it pertains to our life, especially during the holidays. Some years have been bright and cheerful. Some years have been darker, harder to see joy from pain. They are calmer. Sometimes candles are present at sad times. Other times they are used at quiet times, some of which are romantic. Even in more difficult times, with the beautiful light from candles, God can bring about the best through showing His presence and by using us to be a light to brighten another persons life!

In Bright or Dim Lights – Let’s See Him!

Bright Lights

When the lights are bright, it seems that everyone is happy and circumstances are working out great. We have lots of fun and excitement. I found myself jealous this year, wanting what I see other people have. My husband reminded me though of a message our pastor gave a few months ago, that I have a problem known as ” FOMO- Fear of Missing Out”! I don’t like missing out! Adapting to change, is another struggle I find difficult. It upsets me when I want traditions and circumstances to stay the same. I want to enjoy and recreate memories from the past but with new family members such as grandchildren. I would say that the lights were quite dim at first during this Thanksgiving holiday. Daniel is good though in reminding me what I have. The lights glowed brighter because of him!

Low Lights

Sometimes though, circumstances are tough and seem dark. During this week of Thanksgiving, where we should give thanks for what we have, it seems so difficult to be thankful for the hard, painful things that happened in our life. Finding joy seems very impossible to us. It is tough when we experience hurt right now. Should we still be thankful regardless?

I believe, looking deep. we can always find something to be thankful for. We realize that others don’t have what we have. It seems like a more difficult task though to figure out what we really have that we can thank God for. Lots of fake smiles appear as well as pretending and looking like everything is just fine, are very common.

Comfort in the Low Lights

We know though that our Savior loves us dearly and He is close to the brokenhearted. He is available for us to call on us even on the stormy days, when we see others celebrating. and we know that we have celebrated in the past. I viewed holidays for many years, as a time that is cheerful. These times aren’t always cheerful though. I know of people who grieve from loss during and around the holidays. It really throws a wrench in how holidays would normally be celebrated. We remember from then on, that specific holiday and the hurt we felt.

He still loves us even when we don’t see and understand why things have happened and when we can’t make sense of what we are going through. The God of all comfort is available for us to be close to, even in the most difficult of times.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, He is the faithful God , keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Battling with the Lights

If you are hurting for any reason, during this time of year, please know that our God loves you, despite circumstances. He wants you to turn to Him. Remember Him, He knows that we are broken and He wants to comfort you. “He knows the sorrow and the hurt” ( Mercy Me song “Even If).

He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job 5:11 NKJV

I found myself battling over which light I should embrace this year. I knew I should be full of joy and thanksgiving, but I also felt down. What do I do with this pain and discouragement? Is this really how I should be at this time? Do other people hurt too ? I often wonder how they are really doing.

Listening to music really helps me. Music first reminds me of what I should be doing, praising Him in the middle of dark circumstances. It also encourages me through the message I hear. Below is a list of songs that have been an encouragement to me lately, especially in this last week.

• Once And For All song – Lauren Daigle
• Spirit Lead Me – Michael Ketterer
• Yes I will – Vertical Worship
• Event When it Hurts – Hillsong
• Even If – Mercy Me
• Thy Will Be Done – Hillary Scott
• I Can Only Imagine – Mercy Me
• You’re Gonna Be Ok – Brian and Jenn Johnson
• Is He Worthy – Chris Tomlin
• Symphony – Switch
• Give Me Faith-Elevation Worship

Identifying with the Light

I really do understand, maybe not for all of the exact reasons you may have. I have had some heavy circumstances this year. My heart is burdened for several reasons. Though I don’t understand what God is doing, I know that He does have reasons beyond what I can see.

Be A Light

Going through tough times doesn’t make sense to us, but God can use us to help others in the middle of tough times in their life, if we allow Him to use us. Check out my previous blog here about some folks who we can encourage. If we are sensitive to other people and what they are going through. I know that I have hope through my relationship with Him. I Can Only Imagine!

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 HCSB