"The light bulb coming on"

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“The Light bulb coming on” By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”

David, in Psalms 18, acknowledges his life comes from God and God will protect him from death when threatened by his enemies. In looking at the life of David--beginning as a small boy facing a giant (1 Samuel 17)--he never seems to fear death. He demonstrates great courage even when his life is imminently endangered. He steps out in faith trusting wholly in the promises God has made. David’s faith in God is inspirational to those of us who feel small when facing the giants in our lives. David’s faith is humbling to those who may have a fear of death and continuously hide out of that fear. Many people fear death—the manner in which they may die, the fate of loved ones left behind, and what happens after death. Others fear being incapacitated, being a burden, being helpless, or losing dignity in the years leading up to death. What is worse than a fear of death is a fear of life. People who fear life can’t enjoy even the good they have because they fear losing it. The day is wrought with fear and the night is haunted. Their life force or energy is wasted away—drained—by fear. Fear stresses the body and interferes with the mind. Decisions made out of fear are limiting and often self-fulfilling (the thing feared is brought about because of the fear). A good rule is to never make a decision based on fear. Fear is a trap which leads us to faulty thinking and making limiting choices. If we succumb to fear we will never take any risk or chance that is not 100% guaranteed a positive outcome. This demonstrates a lack of faith and is truly a life lived in darkness. Only God can light this darkness. Trusting in God and facing fears, like David did, is the only way to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. God is your light in darkness. As God illuminates, the darkness disappears. We have to walk though darkness sometimes but we never have to walk in darkness. God is the light that shines within us and as we walk through darkness the light surrounds the area we are walking. True, we may only see a tiny bit around our feet but we can see none-the-less. As we walk our path is in the area of light and all we have to do is to keep walking. Darkness is ignorance and the light is knowledge. Knowledge erases ignorance. We can be ignorant and one second later enlightened either by something we read, something we see, something we hear, or a sudden burst of understanding. “The light bulb coming on” is a common phrase used to describe this sudden burst of understanding; the moment when darkness leaves and light takes its place. Just as God is the giver of life and shines away the darkness of death and fear; he is also the light of knowledge and understanding that shines through the dark corners of ignorance. The only way to overcome fear is to face it—whether it’s fear of danger, fear of enemies, or ignorance. The only way to overcome ignorance is through knowledge. Read God’s word daily for the continuous development of knowledge. Through that knowledge, you can have more and more faith. Through faith you gain confidence. Through confidence you shrink fear. Over time, you too can become fearless in the face of life and face death with courage and faith in your God. Psalms 119: 105 states, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” As you go through this day (or this night), use God’s word, like David, to dispel your fears and shed light on your path—your walk with God.

Oh, heavenly father, I pray today you will help me overcome the fears that keep me ignorant to your truths, your promises, and your plan for my life. Open my eyes and help me see the path I am walking. Lead me to the scriptures I can use to fight both my ignorance and my fear. I ask this humbly in Jesus’ name—Amen.