16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” (Luke 8:16-18) NIV
I have known darkness. It is a place I never want to go again. However, it was through that time of darkness I came to understand the power of light. What truth is in that statement: “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.”
When I first accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was in that place of darkness. I had many dark nights of the soul where the pain was so intense I wasn’t sure I would make it. But I did. I held on to hope. I held on to the hand of Jesus who is Light (John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”)
I had an amazing therapist who helped me find the light. As we uncovered all those “secret places” hidden deep within me, we brought them out to the light. Each time we would offer it to Jesus and his light and truth took away the power it had. The lies held me in darkness, his truth revealed light. I stopped believing who others said I am and started believing who God says I am. When I truly stop and listen, I hear his truth. We really can find him when we seek him with all our heart (Jer 29:13). The darkness was the worst in the middle of the journey. It was like walking through a long tunnel, I could not see the end. I had to rely on the Spirit to guide me to the Light at the end of the tunnel! Jesus is my light at the end of the tunnel.
I pray to be a reflection of the light and point others to Jesus. What he brought me through, he will do for others. He restores us and redeems the times of darkness. His light cannot be hidden. His light should not be hidden.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9) NIV
Heavenly Father, what can I do but sing praises to you for who you are and what you’ve done in my life? You have saved me from that place of darkness; your light shines brightly into the places I opened to you. You have been part of every moment of my life and when I found you in those places of deep, deep pain, they no longer have power. Lord, I am so thankful for the people you sent into my life who have loved me to wholeness by showing me your great love through them. I pray to be that for others. In Jesus name, Amen
Cindy (gardnlady)
Sixty-six books in a year 
Thank you for sharing a part of your testimony – so thankful and encouraged