Finding Hope During the Holidays

The holiday season is a challenge for me each year, has been for years now. It used be one of my favorite times but as I’ve experienced loss I have found it to be difficult. Depression can become heightened during this timeframe. I imagine some of you can relate? Maybe you can’t and if that’s the case, I am glad to hear you are able to enjoy the blessing of the holidays. But for those who are struggling like me, I want to take a moment to remind the both of us that it’s ok to grieve, it’s ok to admit we are hurting, it’s ok to reach out for help. But while we are hurting, let us look to Jesus for the very strength, hope, and joy we need. I know it might seem impossible to feel better during this time as we face the reality of our pain, but we never face it alone. God promises to be with us every step of the way. We are not meant to stand on our own (I know for a fact I can’t), instead we are to stand on His word and allow the Holy Spirit to sustain us. In John chapter 11, we learn about a friend of Jesus who is grieving over the loss of her brother: Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” -John 11:21. Then as we continue in the verses.. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:23-26. Once Martha acknowledges this they begin to go to her brothers tomb. The Bible even tells us “Jesus wept” (v. 35). So even Jesus experienced grief and wept tears! Jesus reaches the tomb and calls for Lazarus: Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” -John 11:38-44

Grief is part of life for everyone who lives long enough to experience it. We grieve over the loss of a loved one, loss of a marriage, loss of a friendship, loss of a pet, loss of a job, etc. Whatever the cause of your pain this season, I pray God meets every need you have. I pray He lifts every burden from your shoulders, wipes every tear from your eyes, and protects you under the shadow of His wings. Dear friend, the same Jesus who called Lazarus from the tomb calls you and I by name! He takes what is dead and breathes life into it. In our hearts, in our minds, in every part of our lives. He provides peace that surpasses all understanding. He knows the grief you feel and He is ready and willing to provide all the strength you need to make it through. It’s ok to cry. You don’t need permission for your pain. I see it and I’m certain if you look close enough you will see it in my eyes too but while we are hurting, let’s take our pain together to the foot of the cross where it has already been defeated. Then let’s join in the angels song as we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings for surely our Savior has come and He is coming again (to this we say, even so, come Lord Jesus, COME!).

// prayer //

Lord, Thank You for already meeting every need we have. I pray for all those hurting and suffering. For the ones who feel lost and alone during the holiday season. Remind them Lord of Your love that is never ending. Cover them with Your peace, place Your hope within their hearts and minds. Be the very strength they need, holding them close and keeping them safe from all harm and evil. As their tears fall, place within them the blessed assurance we have in You. The coming day when grief will be no more for You have already come and are coming again. In Your most holy and precious name I pray, in Jesus name, Amen.

🙌🏽🙏🏽💜

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. -Isaiah 9:6-7

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31