Don’t Hold on to That Which Got you Into the Darkness

I have been studying the word “darkness” for the past couple of weeks and have certainly been reminded of my God and the light He is. I should be looking to Him when I find myself in darkness as He will provide the lighted path out.

As I wrap up my study today, I am brought to Revelation.

“¹⁰The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish ¹¹and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.” – Revelation 16:10-11 (ESV)

It seems to me that when one is experiencing something so harsh as being thrown into darkness, there would be a sense of doing what is needed to escape. As noted here in the verses above, there was more of a desire to scream about the wrong and complain about it than to that which had a chance to make things better, repenting.

I notice in the world, and in my own life that complaining is the natural approach when things are not going as desired. I tend to hold on to long to the idea of what is wrong as opposed to doing something about it. And what do I get in return, nothing but more anguish and disappointment and difficulty.

When I take the approach of not being the victim, I have a sense of control and feel as though I am really making a difference. I have the ability to make things better by simply accepting that I have the chance to just move on from the difficulty and look to something that I can control and make better.

When presented with adversity in my life, my mode should be that of looking to God for what it is he wants me to learn in that situation. What is it that I am to take on in the name of spreading the gospel. And when I am able to do that, He will reveal to me more of the plan and rescue me from the darkness that surrounds me. But it all starts with looking to God who is light.

When you find yourself in darkness, what is the attitude you take on? Will you repent of your deeds? Will you continue to hold on to that which got you into the darkness in the first place?