Turning Darkness into Light: A Journey of Healing, Like Making a Candle

Apr 11, 2026

Hey friend,

Sometimes, when we’ve experienced trauma or been through tough times, we get stuck in the "what if" moments—the "I should have known better" or "I should have done this differently" thoughts. It’s natural to feel this way. But the truth is, we can’t change the past, and dwelling on it doesn’t serve us. Just like a candle, the process of healing involves turning something dark into something beautiful and bright.

Let’s think about making a candle. It starts in the dark, right? You take wax, maybe it’s a little messy or raw at first. But with intention, heat, and patience, it transforms into something that can bring light into a room. The same goes for us. Our experiences—whether they were painful or challenging—are part of our story, but they don’t define us. We can choose to take what we’ve been through and create something new.

Here’s how it might look if we compare healing to making a candle:

1. The Wax (Raw, Unformed) The wax represents where we start: raw, maybe a little cracked, or unsure. We can think of this as the part of us that’s been through pain, hurt, and confusion. But just like the wax, we’re not finished yet. There’s potential for something beautiful.

2. The Wick (Our Core Strength) The wick is the center of the candle, and just like that wick, we each have a core strength inside of us. It might be hard to find at first, but with time, we can start to light that wick with self-love, self-forgiveness, and care. Our inner light is always there, even when it feels dim.

3. The Heat (Healing and Patience) The heat is what helps the wax melt and form into a candle. This is the hard part of healing—it’s not immediate, and it can feel overwhelming. But through patience, support, and care, the healing process melts away the hardness, allowing us to reshape ourselves.

4. The Light (Our Transformation) After the wax melts and the wick burns, we finally have a candle that gives off light. This is you—the person who has faced darkness but has found a way to shine through it. The light you give off doesn’t erase the darkness, but it transforms it. It shows others that even through the hardest moments, there’s hope.

The process of healing is similar. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes time to allow the darkness to melt and transform into something bright. But the key is this: you can shine. Your past doesn’t have to define your future. The struggles you’ve been through can become part of the beauty of who you are today.

So next time you’re feeling stuck in regret or the weight of past mistakes, think of the candle-making process. You can create light from darkness, and in the end, that light is not just for you—it’s a beacon for others too.

Remember, just like a candle that’s been made with care and intention, you are worthy of shining bright. You have the strength to turn any past pain into light, and the world is waiting for your glow.

With love,

Your friend at Sparrows of Hope