The Fight To FlourishSample

The Fight to Shine

Hard times have a way of knocking us off our feet, but they also have a way of reminding us of what is most important. It’s hard to reconcile that God has a plan and purpose in the midst of such deep pain, but deep down in my heart on my worst days, I knew I didn’t have to understand God in order to trust Him.

His specialty is creating light out of darkness (see Genesis 1:1–5). You’re meant to shine. In the dictionary, the word shine means “to give forth or glow with light; shed or cast light; to be bright with reflected light; glisten, sparkle.” I want the words glisten and sparkle to describe me! 

When you fight to flourish in dark times, you shine God’s light into your situation and into the lives of others. God creates us for a purpose and gives us the potential to let His light shine through us in any situation.

When we look to the One who created us and breathed His breath in us, we shine (see Psalm 34:5). We can shine in the darkness because we look to God—our Creator and our King, our Lord, and our Father. If He is the sun, then we’re the moon. We aren’t the source of light; we get to reflect it.

I can shine in the middle of darkness, not because of who I am or what I do, but because of Whose I am and what He’s done. Jesus is the Light of the world, and because He is in me, I can shine so others can see Him (see Matthew 5:16 and 2 Corinthians 4:5–6). God can shine His glory like never before when we embrace the struggle.

Respond

What does it mean to trust God in your pain? 

Whose life is impacted by how you handle your painful experiences? What do you want them to experience as they interact with you during hard times?

How can God change your perspective in your situation? What do you need to receive from God right now?

Prayer

Lord God, I thank You for Your goodness and Your kindness. Thank You for being the Light in the darkness. Thank You for sending Jesus who is my Light and my Salvation.  

Help me today to see that You have a specific plan for me to shine bright with Your love today, no matter what I am facing or what I will face. I want to sparkle with Your joy today.  Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, and as imperfect and messy as I am, I want to live for Your glory today.