The Most Difficult Season for Some
By Matt Dawson
‘Tis the Season for laughter, joy, family gatherings, close friends, carols, gifts, cheer, and merriment.
However, we also know that this season is the most difficult season for some. For some, the season brings grief, painful memories, past mistakes, loss of relationships, and feelings of loneliness.
So what do you do when the season of joy is not your season?
You look for absolute Hope!
1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
We do not disregard the pain of our lives. We do not ignore the grief in our hearts that results from loss and broken relationships. We are not careless in our current struggles.
However, we are the Children of God. He is a good, good father who will never leave us or abandon us in our times of need. We hold firmly to the truth that God will strengthen us. We cling to a peace that surpasses understanding. We know that OUR HOPE WILL NOT FAIL US!
Christmas is the season in which God restored our relationship with Him through the birth of His Son “Immanuel” (GOD WITH US). It is a season of JOY to all but even more so a season of HOPE!
I’m not sure if Christmas is a season of JOY for you or a season of SORROW. I know that God is WITH YOU!
I know that many people around you may seemingly avoid you during this season because they do not know how to be joyful yet be present with you in your grief and loss. The HAPPIER everyone is around you, the more you will be tempted to ISOLATE yourself and your pain as to not “bring others down.” I pray this prayer for you today.
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
That even in the midst of this difficult season…you will be filled with Hope by the Holy Spirit!