It is true there must be darkness for there to be light.
Rom 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to Him who formed it, "Why have You made me like this?"
v. 21 Does not the Potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
v. 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
v. 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
But how are we to live our lives with the darkness in this world...
Mat 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
v. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
v. 35 For I have come to "set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';
v. 36 and "a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'
v. 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
v. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
v. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
v. 40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
But everything needs to be balanced, love most certainly should be a very high priority to us.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
v. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
v. 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
v. 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
v. 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
v. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
v. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
v. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
v. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
v. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
v. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
v. 20 Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
v. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
mercy, peace and love
Kat