Hurting for the Holidays
The media hype is that the holidays are the best time of year. Pictures of family dinners, kids unwrapping presents under the tree, and couples enjoying romantic dinners ending in the giving of sparkling jewelry are everywhere. Those who are watching these commercials or television programs though may be going through just the opposite holiday experiences. So then what?
People who have recently lost loved ones, or are struggling financially, or are hurting physically due to illness can look at these displays of wonderful times and wonder, "Why are others so happy while I am hurting?" When in reality, many more are suffering from holiday depression and demise then let on.
So now what? Lower your expectations and increase your gratitude. I know that our society is all about high expectations, setting goals and reaching them, pushing through the pain, and all the jazz, but sometimes pain has a purpose. Often we won't know the purpose for many years, when someone needs a shoulder to cry on and we happen to completely understand the issue someone is struggling through; we know that type of pain personally and that knowledge changes things.
God is with us in the hurting. He is not allowing it without a plan. He is not necessarily causing it, it may be due to our own choices, but nevertheless if we call out to Him, He will be with us in the midst of it. His Holy Spirit is the Comforter, His Son is our Counselor, and He is the Healer so we are always in good hands when we give ourselves, our situations, our pain to the Trinity of God, the Holy Three in One, who is there for those hurting during the holidays.
People who have recently lost loved ones, or are struggling financially, or are hurting physically due to illness can look at these displays of wonderful times and wonder, "Why are others so happy while I am hurting?" When in reality, many more are suffering from holiday depression and demise then let on.
So now what? Lower your expectations and increase your gratitude. I know that our society is all about high expectations, setting goals and reaching them, pushing through the pain, and all the jazz, but sometimes pain has a purpose. Often we won't know the purpose for many years, when someone needs a shoulder to cry on and we happen to completely understand the issue someone is struggling through; we know that type of pain personally and that knowledge changes things.
God is with us in the hurting. He is not allowing it without a plan. He is not necessarily causing it, it may be due to our own choices, but nevertheless if we call out to Him, He will be with us in the midst of it. His Holy Spirit is the Comforter, His Son is our Counselor, and He is the Healer so we are always in good hands when we give ourselves, our situations, our pain to the Trinity of God, the Holy Three in One, who is there for those hurting during the holidays.
Jeremiah 8:18 You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Exodus 15:26 "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.'"
(Name of God: Jehovah-Rapha~The Lord Who Heals You.)
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Exodus 15:26 "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.'"
(Name of God: Jehovah-Rapha~The Lord Who Heals You.)
Perfect for this time of year.
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