Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: 1 Kings 10-13 | John 12

Some battles feel bigger than we are. Fear can convince us that we’ll never be free. Anxiety can make tomorrow feel impossible before today has even ended. Addiction can leave us feeling ashamed of the same struggle we promised ourselves we would overcome. 

But what if we’ve been giving darkness more credit than it deserves? 

Matthew 28:18
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

Notice Jesus declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to him. Not some authority. Not authority over only the easy parts of life. All authority. The same Jesus who conquered the grave holds authority over what threatens to consume us. The darkness we fear is not greater than the Savior who stands with us in it. 

This doesn’t mean our struggle will disappear the moment we pray. Healing is a process. Sometimes freedom comes through counseling, accountability, recovery, difficult conversations, and the courage to ask for help. Sometimes faith means taking the next step even while our hands are shaking. 

Our struggles do not have the final say. Our addictions do not get to name us. Our anxiety does not get to dictate our future. Our past does not get to write the ending of a story Jesus is still redeeming. 

Think about the difference between standing alone in a dark room and standing in that same room knowing someone has the power to turn on the light. The darkness may look exactly the same, but everything changes when you understand who is with you. That is the hope we have in Jesus. 

You do not have to clean yourself up before bringing your brokenness to him. You do not have to hide the thoughts you are ashamed of or pretend your situation is manageable when it isn’t. Bring him the fear, the temptation, the diagnosis, the debt, the grief, the habit you cannot seem to break, and the prayer you are almost afraid to pray. 

The most important part of your story is not how powerful the darkness appeared, but how faithful Jesus was in the middle of it. Whatever you are facing today, remember who holds the authority. Darkness may be part of your chapter, but it does not have to be your ending. Jesus is still greater, his grace is still sufficient, and his presence is still your hope. 

Questions: 
What fear, struggle, addiction, or impossible situation have you been allowing to feel bigger than God’s power? 

Is there a practical step you need to take toward freedom, healing, or support instead of facing a struggle alone?

Next Steps: 
Bring it to light. Spend five honest minutes in prayer, naming the struggle you have been afraid to bring to Jesus. You don’t need perfect words; you just need honesty. 

Speak truth over the darkness. Write Matthew 28:18 somewhere you will see it this week. When fear begins to take over, remind yourself that what you face is real, but it is not greater than Jesus. 

Prayer: 
Jesus, remind me today that you hold all authority. When darkness feels overwhelming, help me remember that it is not greater than you. Give me courage to bring you my deepest fears, my hardest struggles, and the places where I feel powerless. Lead me toward healing, strengthen me when freedom feels far away, and help me trust you one step at a time. I place my hope in you. In your holy name I pray, amen.

Written by Heaven Nash, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.