*Reposted*
Christmas is coming quickly and it struck me today that many folks are hurting. The
holidays can be hard for a lot of people. Perhaps you lost a loved one and the holidays are hard to go through without having them present. Perhaps you are dealing with some difficult family relationships, a prodigal child, a painful rejection, or illness.
This message is for you.
As I write this (Sunday the 11th), my emotions are feeling a little fragile too. My
husband, Andy, who in the past has had 11 stents inserted due to artery blockages, is feeling chest and jaw pain today. We will be embarking on the dreaded cardiologist appointments to find out what, if anything needs to be done. It seems like our Christmas season will now become a whirlwind of medical appointments.
God knows my pain and He knows your pain. Together, let's lay down our pain at His feet and expectantly ask Him comfort us, to give us hope, and to carry us through any grief, concerns, sadness, or hopeless feelings. We can give thanks to God IN our pain (not for our pain) and we can focus our minds and hearts on Jesus' coming to redeem us to our Heavenly Father for eternity.
Read these verses and let them wash over your soul.
Jesus said this to His disciples before He was arrested and taken to the cross in John 16:22, "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you."
Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The very reason we celebrate Christmas is to remember the beautiful, incredible
salvation Jesus came to offer to us. He can cause you to be born again (of spirit)
which is not something anyone else can do. How much more will He be able to walk with you through your difficult emotions, your painful situations, and your grief? He has promised it and the Apostle Paul said, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This is my prayer for you (and for me). Dear Heavenly Father, please wrap each
person who is hurting in Your Arms of Lovingkindness. Comfort them in this season
and remind us of Who You Are and Your power to overcome death, fear, despair,
hopelessness and sadness. Lift us up and carry us through this season with joy and
celebration because of Your incredible choice to step down from Heaven and put on flesh. Give us Your Presence in an extra special way all month long and into 2023. In Jesus' powerful and precious name, amen.