There’s a scene in The Lord Of The Rings where the Fellowship enters the mines of Moria. There have been hints and intimations that an evil would be encountered in those shadowed recesses beneath the mountain. Yet, to complete their endeavor, the band of travelers must pass through the long dark of Moria. An evil is encountered and hope is dimmed, for a season.
There are many long darks in this life, many encounters with the evil of a broken world, many reasons for hope to be dimmed. But we must persevere, we must walk in the long dark, until we pass through and hope is restored.
Walk on, good Pilgrim, follow the glimmer of light provided you though all around is midnight.