It’s a part of life to face dark seasons. These are times when life feels so heavy, hope feels so distant, and it’s hard to believe that things will ever get better. But it’s in these moments that God’s light shines the brightest.

This week’s newsletter is about holding onto hope, even in the darkest times. No matter what you’re walking through, God is near, and His ability to transform brokenness into beauty is unmatched.

I’m excited to share my newest meditation, “Hope in Dark Times, Walk in the Light of Jesus.” This meditation was created for anyone feeling overwhelmed, lost, or needing God’s light. You can click here to watch it.

But before you do, I want to share a powerful story of hope from one of our subscribers—Blake. His journey through unimaginable darkness into God’s transformative light is a testament to how God’s light never fades in our darkest times.

Anchor of the Week: God Is Our Light in Darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5

Even when life feels dark, God’s light can never be extinguished. His hope is ever-present, waiting to break through, no matter how lost or broken we may feel.

Subscriber Story: Finding Hope in the Dark — Blake’s Journey

Let me introduce you to Blake—a husband, father, artist, musician, handyman, and most importantly, a firm believer in Jesus Christ. Blake’s life hasn’t been easy, but his story proves that God can bring light even in the darkest times.

Blake’s Story— “Let me introduce myself. My name is Blake. I’m 45 years old—a father, a husband, an artist, a musician, and a handyman. But above all, I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!

I can’t say I’ve had an easy life or upbringing. I grew up in a small desert town in California. My father was a mechanic who worked out of a small shop at our home, and my mother was a homemaker.

When I was just six, my mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. One day, during an extreme mental breakdown, she attacked my father with a knife, stabbing him multiple times. My two sisters and I had to run to a cabinet shop across the road from our house to call the police because we didn’t have a phone at home. My grandfather, who was terminally ill and bedridden with cancer, was also living with us at the time.

By the grace of God, we were able to call 911 with the help of a lady who worked there, and my dad survived that tragic event.

Instead of my mother almost going to prison for attempted murder, she was deemed mentally ill, and she was held in a mental institution for a long period of time. My father dropped all of the charges out of wanting to keep his family together, and she was eventually allowed to come home on a heavy amount of medication.

I want to be clear—my mother was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known, and I love her deeply. Her illness, however, brought tremendous trauma into my and my siblings’ lives. Some days were normal—Mom cooking dinner, the house clean. Other days were filled with chaos—yelling, cursing, and fits of rage.

My father turned to alcohol and tobacco to cope. He was often a nervous wreck, trying his best to hold our family together under impossible circumstances.

My sisters and I escaped into our imaginations. An old tree became our fortress, and we’d create wild adventures just to block out the reality we faced every day. I spent hours building model cars and living inside my head. But looking back, I realize that I wouldn’t have made it through without God and my siblings.

As the years passed, my mother was in and out of mental health facilities too many times to count. My father’s business failed, and he bounced between jobs, struggling to support us while caring for my mom. We moved often, barely scraping by.

By my teenage years, I started rebelling—smoking cigarettes by 14, skipping school, and surrounding myself with the wrong crowd. My grades tanked, my attendance plummeted, and I found myself diving deeper into drugs and alcohol. I even drank a whole bottle of Robitussin cough syrup once to hallucinate. Meth, marijuana, alcohol—you name it, I probably tried it. I was completely lost.

But God wasn’t done with me.

When I was 17, after a horrible experience with marijuana that was laced with PCP, I had terrifying anxiety that wouldn’t go away. That night, I prayed for the first time in years, begging God to end my panic. Though I didn’t realize it then, that was my turning point.

Very Soon after that incident, I found my grandmother’s King James Gideons Bible with the orange cover. I felt drawn to it. God was guiding me there. I began reading, starting with Genesis. I didn’t understand everything but tried to absorb as much as possible, taking notes and searching for answers about life, purpose, and God.

God was changing me.

My old friends, who still tried to pull me back into drugs, disappeared as I distanced myself from that life. I told one of them about my experience with the Bible and how I wasn’t going back to drugs. That was the last time I saw him.

God removed those people from my life.

I felt a purpose that summer: something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

A few years later, I met my wonderful and caring wife, Maria (we’ve been together for over 20 years), and we have built a beautiful family together. We have two incredible children and a life I never thought possible back in those dark days.

God turned my darkness into light. He gave me hope, and He can do the same for you.

I have so many stories of how God has saved my life, but this one is the moment I truly met Jesus, which changed me and my life forever. I hope it inspires others to believe there's a way forward, even in your darkest of times. With God, there’s always hope.”

Gratitude Corner: Thanking God for Hope

Even in the darkest seasons, God’s hope never fades.

This week, I’m grateful for:

• Stories like Blake’s that remind us God is always working behind the scenes.

• The strength that comes from surrendering to God’s plan.

• The community we’ve built here that is full of believers who encourage and uplift. ❤️🙏

What are you holding onto hope for? Remember—it’s not over. God’s always working!

Share Your Story: Let Your Hope Shine

Blake’s story is powerful because it reminds us that hope is contagious. If God has brought light into your darkest moments, I’d love to hear your story!

Each month, I highlight a subscriber’s story to encourage others. If you feel led to share how God gave you hope in a tough season, simply reply to this email.

Faith Goals: Holding Onto Hope

In dark seasons, holding onto hope takes intentionality. Here are a few goals to help you stay anchored in God’s light this week:

1. Start your day with scripture—especially verses that remind you of God’s promises.

2. Write down three things you’re hopeful for, no matter how small.

3. Pray boldly for light to break through dark situations in your life or in someone else’s.

4. Share a message of hope with someone who might need encouragement.

   This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for supporting Anchored in Faith!

Scripture Reflection: Light in the Darkness

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

Even when life feels pitch black, God’s light is strong enough to guide you through.

Christian Mindfulness: Inviting God’s Light

When life feels heavy, sometimes we need to pause and reconnect with God’s peace. Try this mindfulness exercise this week:

1. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.

2. As you inhale, pray: “Lord, bring Your light into my darkness.”

3. As you exhale, release your worries, saying: “I trust You.”

4. Sit in the stillness, trusting God will light the way.

Help Us Reach 1,000 Subscribers!

We’re inching closer to 1,000 subscribers on YouTube, and every new subscriber helps us share God’s peace and love with more people.

Can you help?
✅ Subscribe to the channel (if you haven’t already)
✅ Share this newsletter with someone who could use a reminder of God’s hope.

🙏Subscribe to Anchored in Faith on YouTube👈

Anchored in Faith Updates ✝️⚓

🌟 New Website: https://www.anchored-in-faith.com/ 

My blog shares my personal stories, reflections, and faith-based living advice to help you walk closer with God. Check out my latest post here 👉https://www.anchored-in-faith.com/post/gods-purpose-for-your-life

🌟 Patreon Community: For deeper dives, ad-free meditations, and premium content, join my Patreon community. 👉Click Here to join

🌟 Etsy Store: Looking for faith-inspired merch? Visit my Etsy shop for inspirational items that uplift your spirit. 👉Visit the Etsy Store 

Blake’s story is a reminder that God’s light can break through even the darkest seasons of our lives. If you’re walking a tough road right now, know that you’re not alone—God’s hope is still alive; keep the faith!

Stay anchored in Him,
Amber @
Anchored in Faith