(This first posted on January 14, 2021.)

No matter how dark things appear, light is breaking through, always. The question is, will we see it? When difficulties come, it’s so easy to focus on the challenges and disappointments, and in that, to forget the heart, power, presence, and purposes of Christ.

I’ve noticed something lately, something that happens again and again. So often, my most challenging moments, in Christ’s hands, become so life-giving. When C19 hit, my ministry lost an entire year of conferences, and therefore a year worth of funding. At the time, I felt confused and uncertain. But God used the pause and our renewed focus on Him to lead us into new, increasingly fruitful territory.

This pattern has played out in my relationships as well. When we lived in Southern California, my marriage was in a rough place. I felt so alone and ached to connect deeply with my husband, but the hours and stress of his job routinely stole him from me. For a while, the situation seemed to get worse. But even then, God was working, revealing things to both of us we too easily ignored prior. That dark period became a catalyst for change and growth.

Perhaps the most vivid light-piercing-darkness event occurred when I first became sick. Initially, fighting my illness alone, I tried various supplemental “cures.” The more out of control my body felt, the more I fought for control. By the time I sought a doctor and received a diagnosis, my latent, previously manageable and largely “ignored” OCD morphed into obvious germaphobia.

That period was so hard on all of us, but it also led to deep healing. We couldn’t justify or downplay my behavior anymore. I wasn’t simply focused or particular. When life became challenging and darkness pressed in, it squeezed out my inner gunk that we had learned to ignore.

We could’ve become suffocated by the darkness. Instead, by God’s grace, we linked arms, turned to Jesus, and steadily sought and followed His light. And His light indeed broke through in such a beautiful, life-giving way. While this didn’t eliminate our pain, that period changed us, for the better.

Speaking of Jesus, John 1:4-5 says, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (NIV).

Jesus didn’t come during a rosy time in history. Lives were ravished by King Herod’s infanticide, Roman oppression, poverty and hunger, leprosy and the lifelong isolation that accompanied it. But God was doing a mighty work not even the most powerful tyrannical ruler or most devastating disease could halt. He was bringing life to the dead and piercing the darkness with light.

The Pharisees couldn’t see this. They were blinded, distracted by the darkness, the darkness within themselves, yes, but also all the oppression and uncertainty in their world. All they could see was what they might lose, should this faith-movement continue: Their prestigious roles as religious leaders, their already tenuous relationship with the Roman authorities, their way of life. They couldn’t, or maybe wouldn’t, see the light—the gift of life and freedom Christ offered.

No matter what 2021 brings, I refuse to be like them. I refuse to become so engulfed in today’s challenges that I fail to see God’s light breaking through. Because I know it’s there. It always is, a light nothing, not the pain of today or the uncertainty of tomorrow, can extinguish.

Speaking of intentionally seeing and pursuing the light, I invite you to join my Your Daily Bible Verse podcast team and I for our Lent series, Journey to the Resurrection. Find it HERE. 

Calming Anxiety and Fear with Biblical Truth – Faith Over Fear

Main idea: Connecting with Christ through biblical truth when anxiety, fear and overwhelm hit. When your thoughts won’t slow down—when one worry turns into another and then another—it can feel impossible to find peace. You try to pray, reason, or fix it, but your mind keeps circling back to the same fear. In today’s episode, Jennifer and Carol talk about what’s really happening in those spirals and how Scripture helps us interrupt them—not by suppressing anxiety, but by redirecting our thoughts toward truth. Through a deeply personal conversation about health uncertainty, sleepless nights, and “what if” thinking, they explore how God meets us in our anxiety and teaches us to anchor our minds in His character and promises. You’ll learn why anxious thoughts feel so believable, how to recognize the stories you’re telling yourself, and how to begin retraining your mind—one thought at a time. Because peace doesn’t come from controlling outcomes.It grows where God’s truth takes root. Download our free When Fear Strikes: 7-Day Reset for Anxious Hearts HERE. (Scroll down for the reflective questions.) 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why anxiety often starts with believable but untrue assumptions How “what if” thinking pulls us deeper into fear What it really means to “take every thought captive” Why suppressing anxiety can make it worse How to practice the “truth pause” when fear rises Simple, practical ways to retrain your mind using Scripture How God uses truth, presence, and time to increase your peace 📖 Key Scriptures: Psalm 56:3–4 — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You…” Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on You” 1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” Psalm 62:5–8 — “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone…” Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Reflective Questions: When my thoughts begin to spiral, what “what if” scenarios do I tend to believe most quickly? What assumptions am I currently making that may not be rooted in truth? Which truth about God’s character do I most need to anchor to right now? When anxiety rises, do I tend to suppress it, fix it, or bring it to God? What would it look like for me to practice a “truth pause” this week in a small, everyday stressor? What one Scripture could I carry with me this week to counter a recurring fear? How has God proven His faithfulness to me in the past—and how might that strengthen me today? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. Calming Anxiety and Fear with Biblical Truth 33:11
2. When Shattered Dreams Leave You Humiliated 29:27
3. When Life Feels Unfair: How to Trust God When Hardship Hits 33:51
4. Why Do I Keep Repeating the Same Relational Patterns: Reducing Anxiety by Healing Past Wounds 28:32
5. When People Take Advantage of Your Kindness: Biblical Help for People Pleasing 27:20