The Holiday season is “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year,” right? Sure, it can be. But it can also be one of the hardest times of the year for some of us. It is always hard for me because I lost my son, yes, it’s been 20 + years ago, but still, when I go to get my now adult children and their families their presents, I always think about the one that is not here. I miss him so much and I know there are others out there going through the very same thing. Maybe you didn’t lose a child but maybe someone you love. Could have been through death, or divorce, maybe you have moved and you don’t know anyone, you feel very alone and lost. It could be that your children have all moved out and you are in the empty nest stages of life, or maybe you are dealing with someone you love struggling with addiction or mental illness. You know mental illness, the taboo topic.  There are so many ways we grieve every day and we don’t even know we are grieving.

I remember when I still had all my children at home and Christmas was a big deal at our house. But with all the food and giving, money went fast and we found that we were struggling financially. That can sure put a damper on your Holiday Spirit. 

BUT GOD!

There have been times in my life and I am sure in yours that we have a feeling of being lost. Lost in our strongholds, lost in our problems, lost in loneliness, and the list could go on and on. Sometimes it feels as though you just can make it another day. This can cause us to turn to someone that is not good for us, or we can turn to binge eating, or addictions and unfortunately some believe the only way out is by ending their life. That is when all hope is lost. The thing is, that is when we need Jesus the most, and most of those times we can’t hear Him, or we feel like He has left us. Maybe we have done something and we feel like He isn’t there anymore. I will say this. His word says “He will never leave us,” it also says, “We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.” God loves us so much He gave us the greatest Gift He could ever have given us. That Gift is Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas; He is the reason for Easter, His birth, life and His death is the reason we all have a chance to change, a chance to have hope. Our hope is in Him not in ourselves. We will let ourselves down from time to time because we are human. Yes, my friends, Jesus gives us hope. He doesn’t leave us or forsake us. There are no conditions on His love for us. One thing for sure is that we must seek Him with all out hearts. How can we say He doesn’t answer us if we don’t listen for His answer? The word of God tells us Jesus is the Great Shepherd. A shepherd will always give his life for his sheep. We know He is the Shepherd, but do we know if we are His sheep? Do we follow Him in the good times and in the bad? Do we stand firm against our enemy the devil? When we fall down where do we run? Who do we run to? There is so much pain in this world right now and no, we can’t escape it, but Jesus helps us to get through it. Good and bad, Jesus is our comforter.

If you are lonely, call out to Jesus. You may have to step out and  get acquainted at church. Befriend others that will lift us up not tear us down. When I moved to Texas 30 + years ago, I was so lost without my family and friends. But long story short (if that’s possible for me) I had never known Jesus at all. Nothing about God or no Christian background to look back on. I was one that would say, “if I go to church the walls will fall in” or “I don’t want to go be with all those hypocrites that want to Judge me.”

I got so lonely I decided to go try a church, got saved and changed my life forever. Made lifetime friends that lifted me up, prayed for me and led me closer to Jesus.

All I’m saying is DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T GIVE IN TO THE HOPELESSNESS! There is help and hope. This too shall pass, right? Just think, everything you have gone through, it’s past, you made it. You will make it this time also. Focus on Jesus, get involved at a church that ministers to you. Before you know it, Jesus will have changed your life and your joy will come from the inside out instead of the outside in. The Joy of the Lord is your strength!

Now go and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!