Systems and methods for stabilizing mid-infrared light generated by difference frequency mixing may include a mode locked Er fiber laser that generates pulses, which are split into a pump arm and a wavelength shifting, signal arm. Pump arm pulses are amplified in Er doped fiber. Shifting arm pulses are amplified in Er doped fiber and shifted to longer wavelengths in Raman-shifting fiber or highly nonlinear fiber, where they may be further amplified by Tm doped fiber, and then optionally further wavelength shifted. Pulses from the two arms can be combined in a nonlinear crystal such as orientation-patterned gallium phosphide, producing a mid-infrared difference frequency, as well as nonlinear combinations (e.g., sum frequency) having near infrared and visible wavelengths. Optical power stabilization can be achieved using two wavelength ranges with spectral filtering and multiple detectors acquiring information for feedback control. Controlled fiber bending can be used to stabilize optical power.