<\/p>\n
I remember putting the Christmas decorations away a year ago with a feeling of sadness and trepidation. Holding tightly to a paper snowflake my granddaughter had made, it was as if I was trying to hold everything together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sadly, the weeks that followed were met with heartache and grief, the very things we\u2019d prayed against. Perhaps it\u2019s the reason why I haven\u2019t had the heart to pull out the decorations this year. Christmas doesn\u2019t feel as merry, and I\u2019m struggling to find the motivation to do the things I usually do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The good thing is I\u2019m praying more than ever, leaning into the Scriptures daily, and seeking the joy of the Lord as my strength. These have been key in navigating the sorrow and disappointment, and I know they\u2019ll continue to be key in the healing process.<\/p>\n
What about you, my friend? If Christmas doesn\u2019t feel as merry this year, and you\u2019re wondering how to move forward with joy, here are a few encouragements to keep in mind.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Only Temporary<\/p>\n
I keep repeating to myself, \u201cThis season is only temporary.\u201d I know without doubt there will be a day when I\u2019ll be able to take a full breath and exhale every last bit of worry and grief. I\u2019ll be able to look back and see how God worked through every tear, every disappointment, and every \u201cunanswered\u201d prayer.<\/p>\n
My friend, whatever you\u2019re going through is temporal. Nothing on this earth lasts forever. You can trust God to bring you through and help you grow despite the pain. In fact, focusing on growth and maturity can redirect your attention to what matters most.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here are a few helpful questions to contemplate:<\/p>\n
Is this situation building my faith?<\/p>\n
Am I learning something new?<\/p>\n
Am I stronger than I was before?<\/p>\n
Would I have made necessary changes if it weren’t for this trial?<\/p>\n
Putting things into perspective – God\u2019s perspective – is a powerful way to endure the trial. If you can partner with what God is working out in you, it will be easier to accept the situation as temporary.<\/p>\n
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, \u201cFor this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the unseen things. For the things that are seen are transient, but the unseen things are eternal.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n
Be encouraged that this un-merry season will not last forever. The Lord is working all things out for your good and His glory. Trust Him to bring you through, stronger and more faithful than before.<\/p>\n
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to Your eternal purpose, helping me see this trial as temporary. In Jesus\u2019 holy name, amen.<\/p>\n
God Meets You Where You Are<\/p>\n
The conversations I\u2019ve had with God lately have been more honest and open than ever before. I\u2019ve cried, pleaded, and even questioned, which is something I don\u2019t typically do. But what I\u2019ve realized is that our Good Father meets us right where we are. With love and grace, He invites us to sit at His feet and tell Him all about our fears and failures.<\/p>\n
What comfort it is to know that we don\u2019t have to reach a certain level of faith to commune with the Lord. We can come just as we are to the throne of grace and find mercy in our time of need.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) says it this way: \u201cTherefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God\u2019s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].\u201d<\/p>\n
The blessed privilege of entering God\u2019s holy presence is nothing to take for granted. We can approach His throne with confidence because of who we are in His Son, Jesus. There is no fear of rejection, denial, or dismissal. Our merciful Father lavishes us with divine love and blessing – the blessing of His amazing grace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This Christmas, take your worries, hurts, and disappointments to the One who loves you and meets you right where you are. He is waiting for you with open arms.<\/p>\n
Holy God, thank You for the open invitation to meet with You. I sit expectantly at Your feet, wrapped in Your beautiful robe of righteousness and peace. In Jesus\u2019 name, amen.<\/p>\n
You Can Believe in Greater Things<\/p>\n
Even though Christmas doesn\u2019t feel as merry this year, you can still believe God for greater things. This is called \u201chope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are some Scriptures to help strengthen your hope and belief in what God can do:<\/p>\n
\u201cBut those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;<\/p>\n
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.\u201d (Isaiah 40:31)<\/p>\n
\u201cMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.\u201d (Romans 15:13 ESV)<\/p>\n
\u201cNow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.\u201d (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)<\/p>\n
Dare to trust God for greater things. Beyond the pain of your current situation, believe He can bring beauty from ashes and gladness from mourning. He is your kind and gracious Father who loves to bless His children. Put your hope in Him.<\/p>\n
Lord, even though it\u2019s difficult to see beyond this moment, I believe You are paving the way for a brighter path. My hope is in You, Lord. In Jesus\u2019 name, amen.<\/p>\n
There Are Merry Ways to Celebrate<\/p>\n
This might be the year to branch out and try new ways to celebrate. If you\u2019re accustomed to staying home for Christmas, consider taking a short road trip or embarking on an international excursion. If you\u2019re typically the one who hosts the holiday dinner, consider passing it on to another family member. Doing things differently might be just what you need to recuperate and rediscover joy.<\/p>\n
Here are a few more ideas to bring the \u201cmerry\u201d back into Christmas:<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Drive through an outdoor nativity display, or attend a festive parade.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Go ice skating or snowshoeing.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Play \u201cSanta\u201d to a family in need.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Serve at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter on Christmas morning.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, changing our routine can help us snap out of sadness or melancholy. By trying something new, doing something out of the ordinary, or focusing on others, we can navigate a tough holiday season with moments of unexpected joy.<\/p>\n
My friend, whatever is stealing your joy this Christmas, please know you\u2019re not alone. Many people are walking through grief right now. However, remember that it\u2019s only temporary. God is with you through it all; you can trust Him for greater things.<\/p>\n
Gracious Heavenly Father, I pray for the person reading this today that You would shine the light of Your love in their heart and give them the peace they seek. No matter what they\u2019re facing, please remind them You are with them and have not forsaken them. Work all things out for their Good, Lord, and restore to them what has been lost. In Jesus\u2019 wonderful name, amen.<\/p>\n
More Helpful Resources for Your Journey:<\/p>\n
When
\nChristmas Doesn’t Feel Very Merry<\/p>\n
10
\nChristmas Prayers to Pray this Holiday Season<\/p>\n
5
\nWays to Combat the Blues During the Holiday Season<\/p>\n
Photo credit: Unsplash\/freestocks<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Jennifer Waddle<\/strong> is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer,\u00a0<\/em>and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer\u2019s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn<\/em>\u2019t Win.<\/em> She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains\u2014her favorite place on earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I remember putting the Christmas decorations away a year ago with a feeling of sadness and trepidation. Holding tightly to a paper snowflake my granddaughter had made, it was as if I was trying to hold everything together.\u00a0 Sadly, the weeks that followed were met with heartache and grief, the very things we\u2019d prayed against.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[813,1325,1235,1414,1217],"class_list":["post-12137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-christian-living","tag-christmas","tag-feels","tag-find","tag-hard","tag-joy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}