Hey friends,

In a world that often feels heavy, I’ve been reflecting on how much “gloom” gets poured into our daily lives—especially through the news and media. Scripture warns us about spiritual forces of darkness that work to blind minds, spread despair, and keep people trapped in hopelessness (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4). While Satan and his influences operate in the unseen realm, they often use human channels—including ideologies that reject God’s truth—to amplify that darkness.

Lately, it seems like certain liberal-leaning narratives in the news deliberately emphasize division, fear, victimhood, moral relativism, and a constant sense of crisis. Whether it’s endless doom-scrolling about climate collapse, social injustice framed without hope, economic despair, or cultural shifts that mock faith and traditional values, the effect is the same: it presses people toward cynicism, anger, and a worldview where God is absent or irrelevant. This isn’t accidental—it’s a counter-force that blinds people to the light of the gospel and leaves them groping in spiritual darkness (Isaiah 59:9-10). When faith in God is sidelined, gloom spreads like wildfire, turning hearts hard and minds hopeless.

Here are a few visuals that capture this contrast between the gloom we’re bombarded with and the hope we carry:

Here is a striking image from MS Now of the “dark, stormy gloom” that often dominates headlines and our feeds:

But praise God—He doesn’t leave us there! The Bible calls us out of that darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). Look at these powerful reminders of hope breaking through:

As followers of Christ, “we have a responsibility” and a privileg to be that light in this world. We’re called to shine brightly, not by arguing politics endlessly or matching anger with anger, but by living out the joy, peace, and love of God in tangible ways (Matthew 5:14-16). Speak truth in love. Show kindness when others are cruel. Offer hope when despair is everywhere. Serve others selflessly. Share the gospel gently. Let our actions and words reflect the Savior who turns mourning into dancing and heaviness into praise (Isaiah 61:3).

Church is beautiful example of people holding and learning how to spread the light.

And when we gather as believers, encouraging one another 0and reaching out, joy multiplies:

Let’s commit together: In the face of all this gloom, we choose to be agents of God’s light and joy. Our faith isn’t passive—it’s active, transformative, and victorious in Christ.

Praying we shine brightly for Him,

Faithfulkeep