Only one thing conquers and dispels darkness, and that is light. Isaiah declared, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2, NKJV). Likewise, John stated, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5).

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, and when he revealed himself in his resurrected body to his disciples, he promised to clothe them with power. This promise is for us today as well. Our God has sent us his Holy Ghost, whose power is greater than all the powers of hell: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

In Revelation, we read of hell spewing forth locusts and scorpions that have great power. We read of a dragon, beasts, horned creatures, as well as the coming Antichrist. Yet, we don’t know the meaning of all these creatures. That is, we don’t have to. We don’t need to worry about the Antichrist or the mark of the beast.

There is living in us the Spirit of Almighty God and his Christ. Paul declares that the power of the Holy Spirit is working in us. In other words, the Holy Ghost is alive in us at this very moment.

So, how does the Spirit work in us in the midst of hard times? His power is released only as we receive him as our burden bearer. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason, to bear our cares and worries. How can we say we’ve received him if we haven’t turned over our burdens to him?

The Holy Spirit isn’t shut up in glory but is here, abiding in us. He’s waiting to take control of every situation in our lives, including our afflictions. So if we continue in fear — despairing, questioning, going deeper into anxiety — then we haven’t received him as our comforter, helper, guide, rescuer and strength.

The witness to the world is the Christian who has cast his every burden on the Holy Spirit. This believer sees overwhelming problems all around, and yet he has the joy of the Lord. He trusts God’s Spirit for his comfort, and for guidance out of his affliction. He has a powerful testimony to a lost world because he embodies joy despite being surrounded by darkness. His life tells the world, “This person has seen the light.”