Anything is Possible with Hope
I often receive private messages from those who are hurting and are seeking peace in their lives. They’ve “tried” God, but still feel abandoned and hopeless. I speak truth and life into them and pray with them. And, very often, I’ll receive back their reply that what I said gave them comfort and peace – particularly when they realize that most of their grief and despair comes from their lack of closeness to God.
I assure them and you, dear friends, if you’re feeling lost and alone, it is NOT because God left you. He is right where you left Him. He is in you, with you and surrounding you with His love, grace and mercy. Jesus said, “Never will I leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) He never moved from you, but consider have you nudged in as close as you could possibly be to Him? Yes, life can be tough, but those times pass, and tough people make it through whatever when they are tight with God.
From personal experience, I know that staying close to the manger AND the cross makes a difference in our lives. I was 15 when I came home from school this day, December 17th and found my dad lying on my bed. I asked, “What’s wrong, Daddy?” He replied, “I’m okay, Baby, I’m just resting.” I knew he wasn’t because of the blue coloring in his face. He didn’t make it.
While Christmas is full of joy and celebration for many, it can still be very somber and painful for others. I know that feeling. I remember my mother’s tears as she unwrapped daddy’s presents from under the tree. My own precious husband passed away on November 16th, and Christmas would never be the same again because Papa wouldn’t be here to read his hilarious version of “A Christmas Story” to the grandkids, who adored when he changed his accents for the characters and the animals.
Yesterday morning I read the headlines and saw that more tornadoes hit the Mid-West. Right here at Christmas – lives lost, families misplaced, and hopelessness for those in so many dire circumstances. There are those sitting at the bedside of a loved one who is very ill. There are families separated by divorce or other circumstances. How can we have yuletide cheer when we are hurting so much?
Hope is still the answer. God didn’t have to send His Son, but He did. Jesus didn’t have to take on human flesh, but He did. He didn’t have to heal, serve, and forgive, but He did. He didn’t have to humble Himself or accept rejection and torment or take on our sin, but He did! He did all this from birth to resurrection—so that, in our darkest and brightest times, we might have hope, so that we might experience peace, so that we might know His love, His grace and His joy.
Dear ones who are hurting, please don’t give up. You may not want to sing about decked halls or jingling bells, but there is greater news worth singing about. Don’t let your sorrow steal you away from Him who brings tidings of comfort and joy. The same little Lord Jesus away in the manger is the mighty King Jesus and Savior who came to give you abundant life. (John 10:10).
This pain won’t last forever if our hope is in the ONE who holds our todays and tomorrows. May we remember the angel’s words on the night when Christ was born. “Fear not for I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which shall be for all people.” Luke 2:10. During this beautiful time of the year…we can still sing the words “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let NOTHING you dismay, remember Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day, Oh tidings of comfort and joy!”
If we are among those who are fa-la-la-la-ing, maybe it’s time for us to add some of that cheer to those around us who could use a smile, a hug, a warm embrace of Jesus in the flesh — Jesus as Emmanuel — God with us — God in us — reaching out and loving others — to help bring them Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy.