It’s such a special time of year.
Families and friends getting together.
Feasts of delicious food being prepared.
Festive decor and music surrounding us.
But the reality is that you may be reading this and struggling with feeling merry.
You may be sitting in a hospital room.
You may be alone.
You may be without a job.
Whatever is weighing on your heart today, the truth is that this season can feel anything but special.
I can relate.
For years, the holiday season has been a time of mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, there’s the grief of the hard times we have experienced. On the other hand, there’s the gratitude of knowing God’s hand has been with us throughout.
Here are some things God has taught me along the way:
For so long, I thought I was a good Christian if I just told everyone that I was fine. I thought wearing a smile to mask my pain was a sign of strength. But there’s no need to be fake or speak Christianese. All you have to do is open to the book of Psalms and read what David penned – chapter 31 for example. There were moments of fear, doubt, anguish, and sorrow. He shared his heart openly with the Lord and you can, too.
PRAISE AND GRATITUDE ARE KEY.
There were moments that I didn’t think there was anything to be grateful for. I mean, I felt like my world had turned upside down. But we read in Acts 16 how the apostle Paul sang songs of praise and asserted that he would be content no matter the circumstances in Philippians 4 WHILE he was imprisoned and persecuted. Just the very fact that I am alive and breathing is reason enough to praise God. When I reflect on every season, all I can attest to is that God is faithful and I realized that there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.
HOLD ONTO THE PROMISES OF GOD.
There were times when I felt as if all hope was lost. We read in Genesis 7 how Noah was on the ark for days and there was water everywhere from the great flood. Mankind had been wiped off of the face of the earth. Talk about hopeless! But then, he saw the rainbow in Genesis 9 – God’s promise that He would never flood the earth again.
As we were driving on a dreary, dark day last week, my eyes were in awe of the widest rainbow I have ever seen. And I was reminded that God is with us. He will never leave us. He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). His steadfast love never ceases. His mercies never come to an end – they are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23) He is our Peace.
Dear Friend, my prayer is that the Lord would turn your sorrow into joy this season.
