Finding Light in Dark Times

Come Find Peace in a World of Violence

This past week has been a heavy one. I was sitting in the car sipping on tea when the news alert came across my phone: Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, had been shot. For me, it wasn’t about who was shot, but about the shock of yet another act of violence.

Almost immediately, my social media feed filled up with reactions from every direction—grief, anger, condemnation, and even satisfaction. By the end of the day, the rhetoric had intensified. Friends were attacking friends, old divisions had deepened, and then came even more tragic news: another shooting, this time at Evergreen High School in Colorado.

Violence upon violence. Anger upon anger.

Scrolling through social media, I realized something hard: I was being pulled into that same spirit of division. I felt myself lumping people into categories—those people, that side. Anger started bubbling up, and I wanted my “opponents” to feel ashamed.

But then I remembered Paul’s words in 1 Timothy:

“I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, a man of violence. But I received mercy… The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Paul knew what it was to live in anger and violence—and he knew what it was to be transformed by grace.

Living in a Dark Time

It feels like a dark time, doesn’t it? Wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza. Violence erupts in Africa. Acts of terror, hunger, and humanitarian crises are everywhere in the headlines. And here at home, there have been over 300 mass shootings just this year.

It’s enough to make our hearts heavy and our spirits anxious. But the truth is, this is not the first dark time God’s people have faced.

In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were both assassinated within months of each other. Riots broke out across the country. Protests turned violent. Radical groups were bombing buildings. Many believed the nation would be consumed by hate.

And yet—God was still at work. The church showed up. People of faith called for peace and justice, not through retaliation, but by reflecting the love of Christ.

Dr. King’s words remain true today:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Choosing Light Over Darkness

If we’re honest, it’s not easy to live into this calling. I often feel the pull toward anger and tribalism. Maybe you do too. It’s tempting to lash out, to cheer for “our side,” to let bitterness creep in.

But scripture reminds us:

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)

Paul says, “The grace of our Lord overflowed for me.” That grace overflows for us, too. We don’t have to be held hostage by hate. We can choose to be light.

Robert Kennedy, on the night of Dr. King’s assassination, told a grieving crowd:

“What we need in the United States is not division; what we need… is not hatred; what we need… is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer.”

That was true then, and it is true now.

How Do We Live This Out?

Paul offers us guidance in Philippians 4:

“Rejoice in the Lord always… Let your gentleness be known to everyone… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer… the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Here are some small but powerful ways we can be light this week:

THINK before speaking or posting online. Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?
Pray for those who anger you. Even a short prayer can soften your heart.
Seek righteousness over being right. Jesus chose love over retaliation—can we do the same?
Meditate on light daily. Read Philippians 4:8 each morning and let it shape your thoughts.

Our Hope

We can’t force others to be kind. We can’t stop all violence or hatred. But we can choose peace over anger, hope over hate, and light over darkness. When we do, others will see Christ through us.

Jesus himself promised us:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In a week filled with venom and fear, I found myself returning again to the prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

May this be our prayer—and our way of life.