The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5, ESV
The hope of Christ is that the long-awaited Messiah has come, pushing back the darkness of evil and showing us the path to God and out of sin and shame.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:2, ESV
Trust God. This world is a dark, confusing place, but He came to us in the Person of Jesus to shine His light, give us hope, and send us out in the power of the Holy Spirit to shine His light for others.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4:2, ESV
We are called to walk in wisdom, which should show us how sinful we are and in need of grace. God empowers us to overcome, and He has given us each other to help. Remember that we are all in this together, struggling alone but encouraging each other.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
Philippians 1:9-10, ESV
God can do anything, even reveal Himself to lowly humanity. He does this through His Word and by His Holy Spirit to those who seek Him.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:19, ESV
God can do anything, and by the power of His Word and the Holy Spirit, He even overcomes our own thoughts, doubts, and worries to bring comfort and peace.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12, ESV
God can do anything, and by His Word He even gets past our thoughts, feelings, and sins to change us from the inside out and give us new life.
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:12-14, NASB
To overcome the problems and difficulties of this life, we should focus on God and His Word, seeking His wisdom and helping each other to grow in Christlikeness and the peace of Christ.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11, NASB
Many of the difficulties we face in this life come from our own bad decisions, but God uses those difficulties to overcome them and to grow us in Christlikeness. It does not feel pleasant, but like Christ conquering death through His death and resurrection, we see the hope of peace on the other side, the righteousness of Christ that is made ours.
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
Hebrews 12:10, NASB
Many of the problems and difficulties we face in this life are from our own bad decisions, but God uses those times to discipline us, to make us more Christ-like. The difficulties we face help us grow in holiness for God.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!