This post is part of the series His Encouragement
Other posts in this series:
A cheery and warm welcome, dearest friends, to His Encouragement: Biblical Inspiration for Your Thursday. Every Thursday, a few blogging friends and I will each bring you a Bible passage and a little hope-filled discussion. We pray that these Thursday posts help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you. We also welcome you to join the conversation by commenting with your thoughts. God bless!
Today’s Encouragement
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14-16, NKJV
This passage is probably familiar to you. It is a frequently quoted passage, and part of it is even used for a children’s song:
This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
This light light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!Hide it under a bushel — No! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel — No! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.
Well, today is Thursday once again, and I know it has been a very hard week or two for some of my family and friends. Families struggle with health crisis or the loss of a loved one. Newborn babies fight to live in the NICU, young children battle illness or cancer, unexpected accidents steal precious ones from us. Individuals struggle with anxiety, loneliness, or depression (situational or clinical). A lot is going on right now, and it is not always easy to process. To be honest, it can be overwhelming.
We may not know this side of Heaven why certain things are allowed to happen. Life in this sin-marred world can be unfair and cruel. We may cry out to the Lord in anguish and confusion, but know that He is always with us through our darkest times — even if we cannot feel Him.
I chose today’s passage because we are, in a sense, our brothers and sisters’ keepers. It is our responsibility to reach out to those God has placed within our sphere of influence, to be His light in this dark world, and to do His acts of kindness for those in need. The Lord has said it is our duty to do so for His glory, not our own.
I know how it feels to be overwhelmed and to struggle. This year has been a very hard year. The joy of our second child’s birth was almost immediately followed with a close call for me, then I struggled with severe sleep deprivation and postpartum depression, and then my mom was diagnosed with aggressive stage IV breast cancer that had already spread to her bones.
Like for many people, one day was filled with such joy and hope for the future and the next, our world felt like it was shattering around us.
But through it all — and I admit that there were times I wept bitterly and cried out to God in distress — I pray that my light is shining for the Lord and that I am helping others who are struggling. I won’t hide my God-given light under a bushel, and I won’t let Satan blow it out.
Right now, there are so many people hurting. They need a kind word, a gentle hug, a listening ear. They need to know that they are loved, that they are important and matter. You might even be one of them.
Friend, take heart! You are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, to listen, to pray with you, please leave a comment below or email me privately at hello@jacquelynvansant.com. Even if you do not feel it right now, you are deeply loved. You have a precious, God-given light and fill a spot in this world that cannot be filled by anyone else. God loves you! I love you!
Now it is your turn! How does today’s verse encourage you? What verse or passage is blessing you today?
Be sure to also visit my fellow bloggers and read their encouragement for your Thursday as well:
- Trisha of Joy of Reading
- Nicole of The Christian Fiction Girl
- Jessica of A Baker’s Perspective
- Becca of The Becca Files
Are you a blogger? If you would like to join us every Thursday, please contact Trisha or Nicole.
Continue reading this series:
His Encouragement: What does the Lord require of you?
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Your post today is beautiful. A real reminder I needed today. I am one of the hurting ones you speak about, but I’m trying so hard to not lose the light. Excellent verses today. I’ve definitely been keeping you and your mother in my prayers. God bless you, friend!
Thank you! *hug* I have been praying for you and all of Tim’s family and friends, too. Keep your light burning for the Lord. God bless!
I’m so sorry about all you’ve been going through. I’ll be praying for you and your mom. I particularly like when you said “We may not know this side of Heaven why certain things are allowed to happen. Life in this sin-marred world can be unfair and cruel. We may cry out to the Lord in anguish and confusion, but know that He is always with us through our darkest times — even if we cannot feel Him.” It’s such a powerful truth. It’s a comfort to know He is always there no matter what. <3
Thanks so much for your prayers! My mom is having a hard week this week… Her chemotherapy (though a lower dose than normal) is causing a lot of nausea and the pain, that was somewhat managed, is starting to come back. One of the hardest things I have ever experienced in my life is watching a loved one go through such pain and being unable to do anything to help. But, we take it one day at a time, and cling to the promises in God’s Word. <3
Thank you, Jacquelyn for letting your light shine even in the difficult times. This week has been difficult for me as well. But I keep turning to God and giving my fears and worries to him and then I feel the load lighten. I’m keeping your mom and family in my prayers!! ((hugs))
Thanks, Trisha! The prayers are so appreciated. *hug* I will pray for you, too. Some weeks can be hard, but the praise the Lord! He is with us through it all.
Really amazing. God is love indeed as He said, He never leaves us nor forsake us. Thanks a lot for this. God loves you.!
Amen! Well said. May the Lord bless you.