Let There Be Light

Scripture and tips from Dr. Norman Vincent Peale to replace the darkness in your life with peace, comfort and joy.

By Norman Vincent Peale, Pawling, New York

In this article:

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Do you feel as though your life is filled with dark thoughts and shadowy dilemmas? God wants to help you with that! The cure for a gloomy outlook is a lighted mind. It could even be said that the quality of your life is determined by how much light you have within you.

The very beginning of creation was the beginning of light. The first few verses of Genesis, chapter 1, tell us: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Everything began with light.

And when God said, “Let there be light,” he meant also that we should have light in our minds. We must ask ourselves whether our minds are full of shadows, darkness and gloom. Or have they been receptive to the light? The Bible opens with light and it concludes with light—singing and light around the throne of God in heaven. “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). And the New Testament opens with light shining from heaven and joyous songs (Luke 2:8-14). And of Jesus it was said, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

God said, “Let there be light.” He filled the world with light. He fills human beings with light.

How do you open yourself to God’s light? You surrender yourself to him. You offer him all your problems and worries. You abandon your negative outlook and discouraging talk. Then God’s power flows in with all of its peace and beauty. This is the most dramatic happening possible for a human being, a spiritual experience of in-depth change whereby darkness is dissipated and the mind and the soul are set free. Fear and uncertainty and replaced by peace and joy.

Then you walk not as a child of darkness, but as a child of light.

More Inspiration

Your Comments

Submitted by cyprain (not verified) on January 23, 2012 - 21:54.

Darkness tried to steal my joy but I overcome it with the Light of God in Christ Jesus. To Him be all the Glory.

Submitted by jan.leslie on January 23, 2012 - 10:54.

The Lord is so good! I have been struggling this week with horrible thoughts and violent dreams -- asking God to cleanse my mind of these things and to fill my mind with his light. This story was answer to my prayer, as I will continue to fill my mind with His light; the darkness will disappear, I believe in God's ability to do this. Thanks so much for posting this! Jan

Submitted by Traceykinohio (not verified) on January 24, 2012 - 14:29.

Amen! Your comment just filled me light! I will keep this I mind whenever the blues try to get me down.

Submitted by Mary Jane Mendicino (not verified) on January 23, 2012 - 03:16.

Lord You Are The True Light of the World. Lord please fill me with Your Light, Love, and Inner Peace and remain with me forever and ever. Praise and Thank You Lord, Amen Love, MJ

Submitted by mlynne on January 16, 2012 - 09:52.

This is exactly what I needed to read today. And something drew me to the headline on Guideposts' home page. Thank you.
Today I will dedicate myself to being filled with Christ's Light.