God Said…

“God said, ‘Let there be light”’” (Gen. 1:3, ESV, emphasis added). Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say, Angela said. It doesn’t say, _______________ fill in the blank with anyone’s name. The emphasis here is on God. He is in control and is all-powerful, speaking light and life into existence.

God gets the glory.

No amount of darkness can penetrate God’s light. When we are in a dark season, it only takes a whisper to redirect our thoughts—saying Jesus’ name—and staying in communion with God helps shine the light of His love into our hearts. It has been said, and I have experienced it — that praise and anxiety cannot coexist. It changes my outlook when I remember to be thankful for all the gifts God has given me and focus on the positives instead of the negatives in any situation.

The great I AM is with us (Exodus 3:14). No amount of worry will change anything. I pray not to waste any more time and energy on worry and instead to give all my energy to trust the One who spoke the light into existence and conquered the dark. Although this takes intentionality and focus, it is worth it.

Isaiah provides an excellent image for us to cling to when we are afraid or anxious. It is a promise that comes straight from God and has helped me many times.

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’” (Isa. 41:13, emphasis added).

Sometimes, I must grip my hand tight, close my eyes, and remember that God is with me.

In 2 Cor. 4:6, Paul uses the provision of light from Gen. 1:3 to depict conversion as the dawning of the new creation amid this fallen world. To know Christ’s glory is to encounter God’s life-transforming glory (ESV Study Bible).

We are all broken. Life gets messy and challenging; those trials sometimes come with doubt, fear, and anxiety, and the enemy loves to keep us in those places.

But God…

Our pastor reminded us last Sunday that God brings beauty out of brokenness. The Jesus Calling devotional on Tuesday reminded me that God doesn’t look at a person’s outside; He looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). Nothing we do or don’t do can separate us from His presence (Rom. 8:38-39).

We must take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and whisper thank you, Jesus, when they creep up on us. God does not separate Himself from us—ever. We tend to drift away from Him and then wonder why we feel distant.

Let’s show ourselves and others grace—we are all a work in progress in a broken world, and the devil is a liar. Write that on your mirror.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, emphasis added).