How would understanding God’s love change your Christmas?
How would it soften your grief if you better understood God’s love? How could a fuller grasp of God’s love for you in the midst of all your circumstances change your holiday season?
If this is your first (or your fifty-first) Christmas without a loved one, I pray you’ll be comforted by the only love that will never cease. OR if this season is less than joyful because you’re experiencing the consequences of choices you’ve made, I hope you’ll find consolation in remembering that God’s mercy will never come to an end – even for you.
If you’re struggling to comprehend this, ask yourself: when my child is devastated by a tremendous loss, do I grow weary and close my eyes to his pain? When one of my children disobeys me, do I throw up my hands and give up on her?
Of course not. Neither does our heavenly Father distance Himself when we need Him.
There’s nothing that can make us more anxious than not resting in God’s love when we’re overcome with grief. There’s nothing that can make us more insecure if we’ve experienced God’s love, but live in fear that it could fade away, one mess up at a time.
If this captures your sentiments, I can’t imagine how you’re coping emotionally. Living without the assurance of God’s loving presence if my husband or child were to die would unravel me. Fearing He’d withdraw even a fraction of His love when I disobey Him would emotionally destroy me.
I need to know God will always love me. And that He’ll always forgive me. You do, too. Thankfully …
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is [his] faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
God is always with us including when we’re experiencing loss. And His love and mercy will never fade or come to an end, even when our pain comes from defying Him.
Living in light of God’s faithfulness makes a tremendous difference in how we weather life’s challenges – especially when we can visibly see His involvement in our circumstances. God often uses people to comfort those who are struggling. I’d like to be one of those comforters. If you’re having a difficult time this holiday season, please let me know so I can be praying for you.
What do you think?
- How would understanding God’s love change your Christmas?
- How can we pray for you?
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I love hearing about the tender mercies of God. I need them so much in my life. Thank you Sheryl.
You are so welcome, Barbara. I don’t know what I’d do without God’s mercy, too.
(As always, I appreciate you stopping by Today Can Be Different!)
Thank you so much for this reminder. I am so thankful for God’s love. It is hard this time of year. My Dad is not with us . Since God called him home 2 years ago December 16th but, I know in my heart he is better than he would be if he was still alive today. Yet I still have a hole in my heart. Thank you for sharing this today!
Hi, Susan. I’m sorry for your loss. I pray God continues to fill that “hole” in your heart for you and your family. God bless you this holy season, dear friend.