It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas or at least it is at Hobby Lobby and every other department store in town. Many families make their way to the pumpkin patch while Michael Bublé sings Baby it’s cold outside sending a chill to the core of your heart.
Whether this is your first Christmas without someone to kiss under the mistletoe or you’ve spent years singing I’ll have a Blue Christmas Without You, the holidays have potential for teary eyes and tender emotions.
“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21 Joy and laughter will come again; however, in the meantime attempt to insert some laughter and joy in your season of pain. Consider the following to bring light into your dark season:
L – Listen
Listen for the still small voice of the Lord, and lean on Him. Allow God to speak words of comfort to you through His Word and in prayer.
As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the coma of grief can bring physical and emotional numbness. Do not allow yourself to grow numb spiritually. God will speak to you in the dark. Drink from His Word daily and write down what He whispers to you.
“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2
“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord.”Isaiah 45:3
I – Intercede
Intercede for others who are suffering knowing that you are not alone. As God raises up intercessors on your behalf, take time to pray for others.
Invisible emotions and loss may accompany grief: fear, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, and changing relationships. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
G – Grace
Give grace to yourself and others. People will at times say and do the wrong things requiring a grace-filled response.
Grief is real, and it makes surprise attacks when you least expect it. Grief comes to live as a newborn baby that cries and sleeps often, but will grow up and eventually move out only to visit occasionally.
Intentionally make a plan for your tender days. Pace yourself financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually taking one day at a time. Take your time in this process
H – Help
Cry for help from God first
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17
Call out to others for help second knowing they really want to help, but may not know how. Help others help you by sharing your specific needs.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Help others – Joy may come to you when you take time to serve someone else.
One widow suggests, “Whatever you need the most, give it away.”
T – Trust God
“God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand, when don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust his heart.”
(Eddie Carswell and Babbie Mason)
You will make it through – the sun will come out tomorrow!
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.” Psalm 139:12
