Alarming goodness, outshine the darkness around us

This place is dark. It is such a darkness that can make one feel weak, fearful, forgotten, lost, alone, unappreciated, unwanted, misunderstood, worthless, joyless, helpless, and hopeless. It can make one feel these things almost without notice. It is a darkness that sneaks and creeps, prowls like a lion waiting to devour someone.

Of course, none of those adjectives hold truth for us. I know this.
But these past few days I didn't feel it.

So today I am reminded of a very mighty and alarming promise:

He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?

And isn't that just what He's done?

In the light of His goodness we are strong, brave, remembered, found, with family, highly valued, much sought after, intimately understood, redeemed, joyful, powerful and of great hope.

And the darkness can go slinking away like the defeated, cowardly animal that it is...