This Little light of Mine with Sarah Jakes Roberts | Woman Evolve: Hey You
Let Your Light Shine: Overcoming Darkness Through Faith
In a world that often feels weighed down by struggles, it’s easy to feel like your light—the unique calling, purpose, and joy that God has given you—can be dimmed by life’s challenges. But Scripture tells a different story. One where the light God has placed in you isn’t meant to flicker out, but to boldly shine, regardless of the opposition you face. Today, let’s explore the powerful message behind “This Little Light of Mine” and discover how to let God’s light shine through us, no matter the circumstance.
Understanding the Power of Your Light
There’s a beautiful verse in Matthew 5:16 that says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” For many Christians, these words are familiar, echoing time and again through sermons, songs, and Sunday school lessons. But have we stopped to really consider what this command means, especially during seasons when we feel under attack from every direction?
Often, the trials that come against us—be it struggles in our finances, our relationships, our self-worth, or our sense of direction—aren’t just coincidental. What if the true target of the enemy is your light? What if the hardships you face are merely strategies to try to dim the radiance that God has planted within you?
The Subtle Attacks on Our Light
It’s easy to misinterpret where the attacks in our life are coming from. You might be tempted to think it’s all about your job, your income, or your family tensions. But as people of faith, we know the deeper reality: sometimes, these challenges are attempts to extinguish your passion, your hope, and your spiritual influence. The adversary knows that a believer who shines brightly can inspire those around them and glorify God. That’s why your light is such a threat.
Think back to when you were younger—maybe even a little girl listening to songs like “This Little Light of Mine.” The enemy has always tried to snuff out potential before it has a chance to flourish. If he can convince you that your light doesn’t matter or that it’s too broken to shine, then he’s accomplished his goal. But God’s truth says otherwise.
Broken but Still Shining
Life can bruise us. Disappointment, heartbreak, betrayal, and loss can make us feel like our glow has faded. But here’s what’s remarkable about God: even a shattered vessel can be a source of brilliant light! No matter how broken or bruised you may feel, there’s a promise wrapped up in your story—your light can still shine. It may flicker through tears, or shine brightly as you lose friends or walk away from toxic situations, but it still shines.
Sometimes you have to let your light out even when your heart feels heavy and you’re uncertain about the future. That’s the kind of light that gets the attention of both heaven and hell. Despite the wounds and the weariness, when you choose to keep shining, you proclaim God’s goodness in the darkest of nights.
A Declaration Against Darkness
There is immense power in a declaration. Imagine taking a moment—right now—and protesting every force that has tried to silence your joy or steal your passion. When you audaciously sing out, just like the familiar words of that childhood song, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m going to let it shine,” something shifts in the atmosphere. You declare to yourself, to the world, and even to the enemy, that nothing will extinguish the light God put inside you.
Let your declaration be bold. Let it be loud. Let it be real, even if you’re singing through your tears. The truth is, the enemy has made countless attempts to hide your light under a bushel, hoping you’ll shrink back, hide, or give up. But today is a new day—a day to protest the negativity, the despair, and the fear that have tried to settle over your spirit.
Letting Your Light Shine Through Worship and Prayer
One of the most powerful ways to let your light shine is through open worship and prayer. When you worship—even in your pain—you are making a choice to rise above your circumstances and declare God’s faithfulness. It’s in worship that you reconnect with the true Source of your light, and from there, you can push back the darkness that tries to creep in.
The more you pray, praise, and testify of the Lord’s goodness, the brighter your light becomes. Sharing your testimony, praying for others, and loving those around you with the love of Christ are all radiant beams that testify to the hope within you. Every act of faith is like striking a match in a pitch-black room—suddenly, hope shines for all to see.
The Beauty and Strength in Collective Light
There’s something transformative that happens when believers come together and let their lights shine as one. Just imagine for a moment an entire room full of women—each one lifting their voice to sing “This Little Light of Mine.” No accompaniment, no distractions. Just heartfelt voices declaring in unison that their lights will not be dimmed by anything this world hurls their way.
That unity is a force to be reckoned with. It drowns out the voice of discouragement and releases courage into the atmosphere. When you carry your light and link arms with your sisters in faith, even the deepest darkness begins to tremble. It becomes a testimony not only to yourself but also to others
