Light and dark

I don’t know about you, but I regularly move between states of positivity and negativity. I often feel discouraged, and sometimes quite hopeless and despairing. On the other hand, I often feel wonderful – safe in the peace of spiritual rest, inspired by Heaven, open to the light, and confident that things will turn out. It’s not manic depression 😏, but more a consequence of a sensitive/responsive temperament and childhood training (or lack of), and the common experience of being mortal. We here are tested by both influences – good and evil, light and dark, hope and despair – and must make our choice at each moment as to which we’ll give heed to.

I’ve learnt a lot, over the past year, about how this works, and how important it is to deliberately and often seek in the light, to overcome the darkness that’s always there, ready to infect our minds. The difference between these two states and the influences that lead to and maintain them is clear – but we often can’t see it that clearly. When I’m in a state of Nature, as on the left side of my lovely diagram above, I think I’m being very clear-headed; honest and realistic. That’s part of its power over us: when in it, our perspective is so distorted that it manipulates our way of seeing, not just what we see. In fact, both states affect how we see, which influences what we see. But one is closed – so we can’t see much, although we mistakenly believe we can see more honestly and clearly than usual – and the other open, where we can, truly, see further. One state leads to calmness, humility, and confidence. The other leads to anxiety, pride, and despair.

From all I’ve been learning, I believe that our mission in this life is to recognise these two contrasting states and where they come from, and move ourselves, repeatedly, to the one on the right – the state of light, truth, and godliness – until that is where we reside; until we are so aligned with this influence that the other has no power over us.

For behold, saith the prophet (Isaiah, whom Nephi has just quoted to his brothers), the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble….

And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth. (1 Nephi 22:15, 26. See also Revelation 20:1-3)

Nephi is speaking of the Millennium, but I believe this is also a state that individuals can come to, in being so attuned to the Light of Christ and resting in that state of truth and light, that Satan and the natural mind have little to no power over them. At least, we can move closer to that state, by doing the above – seeking always to be in the light, so we’re motivated by love, with the result being more of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ – peace, confidence, hope and faith in Christ, and so on.

Do you also experience these contrasting states quite regularly? How do you move yourself over to the right, where light and truth make righteous action easy?

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I recently started publishing a newsletter for Christian single adults in mid-life. It’s called Not Alone, and in it I share a variety of encouraging and useful things, including reflections, inspiration, tips, expert advice, and relevant resources. If you or someone you know is in this group, check it out below. 👇