Trying To Keep It Together This Holiday Season
Has this been a hard year?
Has infidelity taken someone you love? Did you have to say goodbye to your beloved pet? Has a business risk shaken your financial security? Are you mourning the loss of your best friend? Has illness stolen your energy?
Whether it’s an unwanted divorce, an unexpected loss, financial issues or a debilitating illness, your emotions could be overwhelmed for many reasons, especially now with Christmas descending upon you.
You want us to understand your pain. How much you miss simple activities like taking an evening stroll with your spouse, singing your favorite songs with your friend on your porch swing or having your sweet fur baby cuddle at your feet while you watch TV. Or how exhausting you feel as you deal with constant financial stress or the never-ending medical appointments.
Perhaps your pain stems from a different source. You pray for the phone to ring when its silence screams loudly every day your kids don’t call.
You hate being a drag during the most wonderful time of the year. As a committed Christian, you truly want to “count it all joy,” but you can’t quite do it – yet. Instead, you find yourself screaming, “I’m hurting!” at the jolly actors in the Christmas movies. (It’s so embarrassing when things unexpectedly set you off.)
What if I told you we understand more than we seem to?
We know you’re going through a tough time. But when we don’t respond the way you need us to, would you please forgive us? And not give up on us? Understand that we want to get it right. We’re truly sorry when we expect more from you than you’re able to give.
And we’re sad that we can’t be there for you as much as you need us to be.
Most of all, realize that God will never abandon you. Take comfort from this powerfully reassuring scripture from Hebrews 13:5 in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition:
For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].
If you’re feeling beaten down by life, rest assured that there are people praying for you. May you feel our love (and especially God’s) this holiday season.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
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While this holiday season I find myself more blessed than ever, I have worn many of those “shoes” you stated. While wearing those ill-fitted shoes, God was there for me and I was comforted. I truly enjoy reading your words and look forward to receiving more inspirational thoughts from your blog.
Hearing how God comforts others in their struggles always lifts my heart.
Thank you for stopping by, Karen. Your empathy is such a gift. And your encouraging words about my posts mean more than you know.
If you’re feeling beaten down by life, rest assured that there are people praying for you. May you feel our love (and especially God’s) this holiday season.
My hurt may be different than what was mentioned.
As you know I live in an Orthodox country and my immediate family does not share my faith of a true believer. Oh, they call themselves Christians but just not ‘born again Christians ‘.
Every Easter Sunday and Christmas day when I should be attending my Greek Evangelical Bible Church, I’m eating at my middle daughter’s house. I cry inside as I pray for my dinner alone.
Later as I sit in my bathroom, I let my tears falls and as I’m writing this, I’m crying.
Hi, dear Sandra. I know God sees your tears — and He is moved with compassion. I am going to pray right now for God to intervene in your situation in a powerful way. Don’t give up, my friend.
Thank you very much, dear sister. I do find the holidays quite difficult. Jesus knows and I think He feels my pain.
He does, Sandra. COMPLETELY.
When I prayed for you (and I will continue to do so), I honestly felt a sense of excitement of what God is going to do for (and in) you!
Thank you for your prayers.
This is a great devotion, Sheryl! I’m sure we’ve all been there at one time or another. Tom lost his job one Christmas, we also lost a pet and we’ve also been sick around the holidays, and there are times, I for one, have trouble gearing up for Christmas because of other responsibilities, too. “Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15. Thanks for reminding us that even though we may not sense God’s presence, He is always with us! Emmanuel, “God with us”. Thanks Sheryl! ️✨
Christmas can be the “most dreadful time of the year” for many who are going through things you stated in your comment, Kim. Genesis 28:15 is another solid verse to cling to during the holidays – and every season of life. Thank you, Kim.
Good morning Sheryl. I don’t know how we would have made it through this year without God’s help daily. With Lance health issues causing us to have to make some life choices about him stopping work and going on disability. Which I know wasn’t an easy decision for him. Through it all God is showing us he is in control and, I am thankful I can cast all my anxiety upon him because he cares for me. I am thankful He is faithful and will deal with my adult children even though I don’t see the results just knowing by giving them to him. He is in complete control of the whole situation. Thank you for your encouragement daily in your articles.
Hi, Susan. It’s always encouraging to read how God intervenes in people’s lives, isn’t it? And, dear friend, it’s also encouraging to hear about people’s (such as you and Lance) faith in tough times.
Thank you for sharing.