Dr. Dixie: Scared in the dark

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Do you remember as a child the feeling of terror in the pit of your stomach when you had to go into a dark place alone?

You weren’t technically afraid of the dark, but afraid in it — fearful of all it contained — whether real or perceived. The longer the dark lasts, the bigger the “monster in the closet” becomes, fueled by your imagination.

The Bible tells us we live in a dark world, and the world, believing the devil’s lies, tells us the giants and monsters are unconquerable. But the Bible also says Jesus is the light of the world and because He lives in us, we believers are the light of the world. We are more than conquerors who gain a surpassing victory in Christ. But our fear in the dark shows who we believe.

We often are like the little boy whose mother asked him to bring the broom in from the porch. “You don’t have to be afraid, Charlie,” she said. “Jesus will be on the porch with you.” Charlie walked to the door and peeked out. “Jesus, if you’re out there, could you please hand me the broom?”

The darker our culture gets, the more likely we are to question whether Jesus is present in the dark. We doubt because of an abysmal ignorance of the Word of God — and therefore, the character of God — that is rampant in the modern-day Church. The prophet Amos foretold our time:

“Behold, the days are coming…when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine for hearing the words of the Lord. People shall wander from sea to sea… they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, inquiring for and requiring it as one requires food, but shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.” (Amos 8:11- 13)

Scripture gives the solution for walking confidently through the dark:

“The entrance and unfolding of your words (Scripture) give light; their unfolding gives understanding, discernment and comprehension to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

“The path of the uncompromisingly just and righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and clearer until it reaches its full strength and glory. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18-19)

“Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate and just who are in right standing with God.” (Psalm 112:4)

“This is the message of promise which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all; no, not in any way.” (1 John 1:5)

“For with you is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.” (Psalm 36:9)

“…the darkness of moral blindness is clearing away and the true light — the revelation of God in Christ — is already shining.” (1 John 2:8b)

If we are scared in the dark of this world, the only way to be free from that fear is to immerse ourselves in God’s Word and learn His promises. His promises are His will. He promises that when we keep our eyes on Him, fear will dissipate. If we are constantly fearful in the dark, we must check our Word knowledge.

“Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. (You) Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (You) stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and (You) do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.” (John 14:27)

Send questions or comments to drdixie@drdixie.org.