The day fell into darkness as the storm clouds moved in and covered the last traces of sunlight. The storm hit and along with it, flashes of lightning that lit up the whole sky. In a brilliant display of power, electrical forces cracked through the pouring rain, disabling power lines—spreading the darkness even further.

Fumbling to find a source of light, I grab a candle and wait for the darkness to subside. Only it didn’t. The power was out, and after what seemed like an eternity, I realized I had a decision to make. Would I succumb to the darkness and let it determine what I would do next, or would I see it as an opportunity?

While darkness can be scary in some situations, it’s different when I am at home and the power goes out. I actually take delight in the lighting of candles and revel in the glow. Despite the raging storm, my home is a peaceful shelter as the normal sounds of everyday life are silenced. No fans. No thermostat kicking on or dishwasher running.

In the book of 1 Peter, the apostle is writing a letter to encourage Christians who are suffering through a dark time while under the persecution of Rome. Reading about something that happened hundreds of years ago is difficult enough, but watching it unfold in our world today is even more sobering. We see so much hatred and persecution and war that sometimes it feels like we are in a dark time as well.

It is not coincidence that I am reading 1 Peter today. As a matter of fact, I have read it over and over and over. I came to this book as I read through the Bible and I found myself in search of something… I wanted—no, I needed to see what it was that God was trying to teach me in these pages. Much like trying to stumble through a dark room, I would read the pages over and over wanting desperately to see where I was supposed to go or what the words were trying to teach me. What was it that God wanted me to do with these words that He obviously wrote with intention?

What exactly was it that God wanted to show me in this book about suffering?

It wasn’t as though I couldn’t comprehend the words. While I knew what the words were saying, my understanding was limited because the level of their suffering far exceeded anything I’ve ever experienced. The questions in my mind come when I am left wondering what it is that I might be missing. Is there something in these words that God left for us because He wants us to gain wisdom from what those early believers were going through? I believe so!

Verse after verse spoke to my heart and revealed things that are specific to me: in Chapter One I was reminded that, while we are never immune or exempt from difficulties in this fallen world, we do have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (verses 3-5). In other words, our hope is not in this life, but the one to come. The darkness of this world has already been defeated! While God’s plan might look very different that what we would like or might try to plan for ourselves, He not only provides what we need to navigate through the darkness, but if we seek Him, He will show us the opportunities that come along the way.

Verse 7 goes on to tell us that any trial that we face will grow us–if we let it, and will ultimately bring Him praise, glory and honor.

“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

It’s true, isn’t it–that in this life we often struggle to see the “light at the end of the tunnel”? But it’s there.

Because He is there.

If we believe and put our trust in Him, He will go before us, He will go with us, and He will go behind us–surrounding us with His presence and protection. Hope is not found in a circumstance–it is found in a Person. Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us and He will use those dark times to draw us closer to Him. It’s true because His promises are true–but it’s also true because I have seen it in my own life and in the lives of countless others.

Darkness can represent a time of trouble or distress or grief. Darkness affects all of those walking in it’s shadow. Some do succumb, while others choose to light a candle and press forward. Walking alone in the dark is often what causes the most fear, but Jesus reassures us with a proclamation from His own mouth:

“I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness”. John 12:46

While darkness or dark times might be your current reality, I want to remind you today that you don’t have to walk through it alone. Jesus presents Himself to you as “The Light” because, if you let Him, He will illuminate the way for you as you navigate the difficult days. He is the light that will reveal the truth about our situation, bring comfort to a hurting heart, calm to an anxious mind, and peace to a weary soul. If we will just keep our focus on Him, He promises that He will abide in us.

He stays with us,

He holds our hand,

and He gets us through to the other side of that dark tunnel.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

I don’t know who needed to hear this today, but please know that you are not alone. In this world we will go through dark times—but be encouraged today. There is hope—and hope comes from believing in the One who can show you that sliver of light you are grasping for.

Believing by faith is the first step. It’s not a blind faith, but it is a simple act of faith. Trusting Jesus means you let go of all that separates you from Him. Turning to Him, confessing any sin, trusting in Him to forgive you and to save you— based solely on the love He demonstrated by taking the punishment for your sin when He died on the cross. Surrendering to Him means you will trust Him with your very life, and in doing so you believe Him for eternal life! You can read more about that step of FAITH here.