On Nov. 18 the sun set in the small town of Utqiagvik, Alaska. It will not return for about 65 days. The roughly 5,000 residents will live in darkness and mostly below-zero temperatures for more than two months. This is because the town is located north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the northernmost cities in the United States.
I can’t help but wonder how the polar night, as it is called, affects the mood and energy level of the people. Studies show that many folks tend to be grumpier and more likely to be depressed at night. The reasons are not all that mysterious. Generally, we are fatigued by our day’s work and activities by nightfall. We are tired, and that makes us less patient and often more frustrated that we didn’t get enough done, didn’t resolve issues or didn’t meet our goals for the day. Over time we connect those feelings to darkness.
We also connect darkness to evil. Satan is widely known as the prince of darkness.
When someone goes through troubles, we often console them by saying, “Don’t worry. The sun will still come up in the morning.” Of course, in Utqiagvik, that is not necessarily true. So how do you suppose they cope with more than two months of night? I can’t say for sure, but I’m willing to bet they lean heavily on their faith since 79% of Alaskans claim to be Christians. There’s plenty of fuel in the Bible to get you through both physical and mental darkness. In Psalm 18:28, David sings, “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Jesus is always a source of hope for a brighter day.
He can deliver it for you and even for the fine folks of Utqiagvik. In late January the sun will gradually reappear on the horizon there. By May it will stay in the sky 24 hours a day, providing constant daylight — “the midnight sun,” they call it. There will be no darkness until early August. Then the cycle begins all over again.
Life is like that — cycles of good times and bad. Staying with Jesus and His Word will help you make sure the power is always on.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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