When Times Get Dark

by PJ Keen,  August 21th,  2025.

Where we live, the power goes out a lot, at least four times a year, sometimes more. I stopped counting because, honestly, it only made me more frustrated. We’ve got older trees all over the neighborhood, plus plenty of bad weather. Trees fall, power lines snap, and the lights go out. On top of that, the transformers around here are ancient and blow from time to time. Sometimes we can even hear the boom just before everything goes dark.

There’s nothing like finally settling in at home, getting comfortable, and suddenly, silence and darkness.

Over the years, my family has learned to make do. We know our way around the house without lights. Power outages aren’t new to me. I’ve lived through tornadoes that knocked out electricity for days. In 2017, after storms ripped through Alabama, I went five days without power. Another time, a tornado hit near my dorm and displaced me completely. It’s frustrating to lose power, but it’s part of life. Thank the Lord, we still have power 93.7% of the time (even if most folks enjoy 99.9%).

But what amazes me is how my four-year-old, Jude, handles it. He doesn’t scream. He doesn’t cry. He doesn’t panic. Every time the power goes out, he calmly says (in his cute little voice):

“Ummm… I think a transformer blew!”

The funny thing is, he has no idea what that means. Honestly, I’m not even sure I do. The only transformer I can really describe is Optimus Prime.

But here’s what’s powerful: Jude has gotten used to dark times.

And it makes me think... why don’t we, as Christians, respond the same way? When life suddenly goes dark, when things don’t go as planned, when trouble hits, when storms come, why are we so quick to panic, complain, or fear?

Jesus already warned us:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Dark times aren’t a surprise to Him. They may shock us, but not Him. And He doesn’t just see us through them, He’s already won.

So next time life “goes dark,” let’s remember what Jude already knows: don’t panic. Trust the One who holds the light.

All Scripture is taken from the CSB translation.