Reflecting: Light and overcoming the darkness

For the first Wednesday for weeks, I didn't have any doctor's appointments or obligations with my children today, so I actually got to go to my scripture study class!  We were covering 1 John chapters 1-5.  I felt like it was for me.  So many times the teacher repeated the word, "overcoming."  Overcoming trials.  Overcoming fear.  Overcoming doubt.  That wasn't EVEN what the class was on, really... the lesson was focussing on what we need to do to live our lives to have a "fellowship" with God and the Savior and what that means.  It's just ONE of the many blessings of said fellowship is the ability to overcome darkness in our lives.  Darkness, not only being things that are not righteous, but are our trials and difficulties, as well.
   I actually thought about this the other day.  My kids were talking about colors and said something about the combination of all colors was black... I explained to them that with color (pigment), white is the absence of it but black is the combination of all of it, but when you are dealing with light, the opposite is true... black (darkness) is the absence of light, but white light is the combination of all colors of light.  While talking to them, we were pulling into the church parking lot and I had the scripture pop into my head that says, "I am the light of the world."  (John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the ^alight of the world: he that followeth me shall not ^bwalk in ^cdarkness, but shall have the light of life.)  RIGHT THEN, I had the thought that it means 2 things... our  Savior is EVERYTHING (white light being the combination of all light), and that light and dark can not occupy the same space.  By definition, darkness is the absence of light.  So, there can not be any light in the darkness nor darkness in the light...  there is either light OR darkness.  If you are in a dark room and introduce light, no matter how small, it overcomes, the surrounding darkness, it is never consumed by the darkness - it always prevails.  The only way to overcome light is to intentionally block it out or cover it up or put distance between you and the source.  We have to stay close to the Savior and not block Him out... then He will ALWAYS overcome the darkness in our lives.
   I think most people naturally feel a bit of fear in the darkness, mostly because it represents the unknown.  When it is dark, we can't see our surroundings.  I think for me, that's the fear I've been feeling the most when I do feel it.  I had one moment today when I put my hand on my throat and could feel my swollen lymph node and wondered why it was so swollen for so long... what is it trying to tell me?  Then I had the thought, clear as day... I have cancer.  Oh, my goodness... there is cancer in my body.  That is scary!  Then, just as suddenly, whoosh!  Peace... calm...  a reminder that I am just fine.  I was fine before I knew I had cancer, I will be fine after I have surgery.  I am fine.  There is only peace.

The teacher also read from St. John.

John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

How perfect is that?  How is that not speaking directly to me and exactly what I have been feeling about overcoming and having peace?  I know the teacher, he is in my congregation, but he doesn't know about my diagnosis.  He was inspired to share this today, I know he was.

The teacher then closed with one more scripture about casting out fear and then referenced something else, completely out of the blue.  It was a story from the Old Testament and he sort of just reference in passing as he ended the class.  He said, "this scripture reminds me of that story with Elisha and the army was surrounding them and the servant was scared and Elisha told him that there were more with them than against them and then asked the Lord to open his eyes and he saw the mountains full of angels."

2 Kings 6

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

I left the class with that phrase repeating through my head and feeling like, again, it was meant for me.  This evening I have been reflecting on my support system.  Not only has my family been offering tremendous support, but I have mentioned the support of just a few of my friends on here, but I have several more that know of my situation and have been just as wonderful.  On top of that, I support coming in from far and wide (literally across the country), people that I don't have regular contact with, but as they hear about this, send their support... It is very touching, really!  My sister's ex-husband, contacted me on Saturday to offer his support and encouragement and my other sister's mother-in-law, called my sister yesterday, just to say that she was thinking about me and had a message for me.  I really appreciate the concern.  My family, friends, neighbors, community members, congregation members... all of them make up an incredible army of angels that I have surrounding me.   There are more with me than I can even imagine!!