“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the Glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together’. The Lord has spoken!” (Isaiah 40:3-5 NLT).
Welcome back dear student, as we shift into this new Autumn season the darker evenings can affect people’s mood and outlook, but heaviness needs to be resisted. Fear, negativity, and dread are demonic weapons that hold people in bondage. Sometimes these fears are heightened in certain conditions, but we don’t have to give into that torment. Every day you have breath in your body is a gift from God. The Word tells us that when the darkness covers the earth the Lord’s Light is visible upon His people – in fact, He calls us to arise and shine in the midst of darkness (Isaiah 60:1). “The people who sat in darkness have seen a Great Light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 9:2). The Glory of God is coming upon the earth in greater measure releasing His Presence. People spend their lives looking for light - it brings hope, security, and joy: that’s why we love lamps and twinkling lights at home. Physical lighting will burn out, but the Glory of the Light of the World will never dim. And His Light is available to bring freedom from the darkness (John 8:12; John 12:35-46).
The devil uses lies, old patterns, and attitudes filled with negativity to bombard people into submission and ultimately imprisons them in the past. This is not how God wants His children to live. There are natural things we can do to combat oppression and fear like eating healthier and getting out in the fresh air to exercise; or taking up projects to fill the quieter months. But more importantly we must build ourselves spiritually - and watch and resist (1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7). Just because there is darkness, doesn’t mean that we let gloom reign. No – the Lord Jesus paid too high a price for our freedom to accept the devil’s treats. Satan’s delicacies are subtle and may seem harmless, but God warns that he disguises himself as an angel of light – the great pretender (2 Corinthians 11:14).
God doesn’t want us to live dominated by negativity. Life is more than just existing ‘under the circumstance’s’. God calls you an overcomer. That means you fight! Yes things may be difficult, there may be many problems - but God is the Solution! And He will give you the strength to stand your ground and get through the toughest of trials when you rely on Him and put His Word into action. There’s a word the devil doesn’t like: ACTION! Our faith is active. We may fall down but we must get up again. And again, and again - until we overcome (Proverbs 24:16). Satan doesn’t want you developing consistency. That’s doing small things regularly until they become a habit – carrying through with plans, completing tasks. Lists and goals are important - it’s a great idea to have a wipe board and markers that you get in any pound shop. There’s something about writing things down and then ticking them off. It brings a sense of satisfaction and joy. No one is going to do it for us friend. But God will help you. “He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29; Psalm 119:105). May you experience the Light of Jesus shine upon you always.