This Light Has Come: Finding Hope in Trouble, Darkness, Gloom, and Anguish

Before Jesus came, Israel walked in deep spiritual darkness—trouble, gloom, confusion, and anguish. Many of us still live there today. In this message from the series “This Light Has Come,” Pastor unpacks what it means to move from darkness into the light of Christ and to actually live in that light every day.

You’ll learn the four faces of darkness—trouble, darkness (confusion), gloom (emotional heaviness), and anguish (pain louder than hope)—and how Jesus overcomes every one of them. Using the simple illustration of three flashlights, we see the difference between knowing about the light and walking in the light, staying “charged” through God’s Word, promises, and presence.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed, depressed, stuck, or spiritually powerless, this message will remind you that in Christ you are never alone, never helpless, never hopeless, and never powerless—and that darkness was never meant to be your permanent address.

Key Takeaways:

• Darkness shows up in four ways: trouble (overwhelm), darkness (confusion and fear), gloom (emotional heaviness/depression), and anguish (pain louder than hope).
• Jesus is the light who overcomes every form of darkness and came to bring us out of darkness into light—both now and for eternity.
• You can know about the light and still walk in darkness—hearing sermons but not living in God’s Word, promises, and will.
• Three “flashlight” lives:
• No batteries: no Christ, trying to live life in your own power.
• Batteries on and shining: saved and living in God’s Word and promises—charged and guided.
• Batteries in but switched off: saved but not surrendered, making your own decisions and walking in confusion and defeat.
• In Christ you are never alone: Jesus promises never to leave or forsake you; He goes before you, is with you, and lives in you.
• Darkness without Jesus is not just temporary but eternal, but God sent Jesus so that no one has to live in darkness now or forever.
• God can use your seasons of trouble and gloom to help others—if you walk through them with the light instead of staying in the dark.