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It's that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) time of the year again! I don't like the dark, and I'm longing for the days when they get longer again.
I've been using my light therapy lamp since the beginning of November. It's become part of my daily quiet time in the mornings. I sit in my comfy recliner, turn on the light, and for the next 30 minutes, I do my daily readings and say my prayers.
One morning as I was reading, I briefly glanced over at the blue light, and I was enlightened. Not only was I gaining the benefit of the light therapy, but I was also benefitting from the message of Jesus, who is the Light of the world. We live in a dark world. Jesus is the Light who shines in our darkness. He is our hope in this dark and troubled world. He is the One who came to bring us out of darkness and into His glorious light.
John 8:12 – Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." (MSG)
John 12:46 – I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (NIV)
2 Samuel 22:29 – O Lord, you are my light! You make my darkness bright. (TLB)
Psalm 18:28 – You have turned on my light! The Lord my God has made my darkness turn to light. (TLB)
John 1:5 – The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (NIV 2011)
Just as the lack of daylight can cause symptoms of depression and fatigue, so the lack of reading God's Word daily can cause us to fall into the darkness of sin and despair.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV 2011)
Reading God's Word daily gives us hope and can strengthen our faith. As we read, our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed. The more time that we spend reading the Bible, the more that we will know God, and Christ's light will shine in us and through us, and turn our darkness into light.
Have you seen the light? Or are you still stumbling around in the darkness?
Prayer: Father, sometimes life can be overwhelming, filled with darkness and despair. May the light of Jesus shine in the darkness of winter and in the brokenness of the world around us. May Your face shine upon those who need light in their darkness today. Help us to understand what it means for us to be lights for the world. May the light of Your Son shine through us, so that others can see our good works and glorify You. May His light shine in us and fill us with hope, joy, love, and peace, that we might be His faithful followers. We pray this in His holy name. Amen.
Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the world's light — a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father. (TLB)
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Great reminder, Dee.
Great reminder, thanks Dee. Blessings!
Thanks, Dee. Longer days are coming, as is the Lord.
Dee, Thank you for sharing your light through this devotional. Blessings.
Thank you, Dee, for you message. I often think of Jesus as the Light of the World who brightens our perspective upon how to live to bring the light of His love to others.
Thank you for such a much-needed devotional. I had just set up my light and sat in my chair. Opened my daily and could not believe the heading I read. Just what I needed.
Thank you, Dee, and may God bless you richly with His presence this year!
Blessings,
(BC)
Thanks for a good word Dee. It was light until after five o’clock here yesterday, that’s over half an hour longer then on Dec 21st when the days began to change. Thirty plus more minutes of light in three weeks. And it’s just going to keep getting lighter!
Dear Dee,
Thank you for sharing what works for you. It is amazing when the sun does peek through on these dark days of January. May you be warmed by the light of Jesus shining through you to us.
O what wondrous and helpful bits on light all through scripture. Yay for being a light in darkness and not being comprehended by the dark! Yay for choosing the path with the light whose bulb never burns dim! Yay for you today, Dee and your well-said message (as always!).
Hello Dee,
A very good devotional reminding us that following the well-lit path of Jesus is so rewarding. He truly is a “lamp unto our feet” and following His way is the way to a life of hope, peace, love and joy.
Many blessings to you.
(B.C.)
Thank you for your devotional on Light Therapy, and I liked all the verses that you shared. It made me think of my high school days in the 1940’s when my music teacher had me sing The Lord Is My Light by Oley Speaks and is based on Psalm 27 which has been my favorite Psalm for life. I especially like verse 1 in the NKJ…”The Lord is my light, and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid.” I also like Psalm 18:28 in the NIV.
Good morning Dee,
I read your Devotional and, to be honest, I did not know there was such a thing as “SAD.” I guess I don’t have it.
Sure, like all the passages about light, it certainly confirms that Jesus is the light of the world.
Thank you for writing.