I was “visiting” my good friend Ann from A New Creation Too last night and her post just spoke to my heart. I could say that I feel many of the same things…
So, as Christmas quickly approaches I find myself sinking pretty darned low emotionally, mentally, and physically. Like a dark cloud has settled upon me filled with self-pity, discouragement, hopelessness, bitterness, etc.
Why the Holiday Blues? For me, sometimes I focus on my past and what I have lost. And what has not yet been restored. Holidays are known for self-imposed stress and I have to say I am not immune. 9 more days till Christmas and I haven’t bought a thing yet. I feel as frozen in time as the snow outside. I keep waiting for the ‘joy’ to fall down from the sky, but as of yet, I am still looking up.
Then in our conversation, I said I needed to break my HOLIDAY MIRROR. You know the one – that only looks back and doesn’t look forward. My yearnings for old times and old Holidays had stopped me in my tracks. Now I am not saying not to remember good times. On the contrary, remembering the good is what I want to do.
But I had to stop looking for today’s peace in yesterdays events. It was robbing me of my ‘now’.
“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. (James 1:17-18)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
My Prayer for You:
Dear Lord,
I thank you for new beginnings and surprises from You this season Daddy. We still believe you can and will turn things around for us. You know our needs, and we know how generous You are. Yep, we have the best Daddy in the Universe! You knew we would need a Savior, and you birthed baby Jesus. We worship and adore you God, and rest in You this season, in Jesus Name.
(photo Source: http://peace-love-read.tumblr.com)
Related articles
- God’s grace and mercy will more than make up the difference for you (examiner.com)
- Hope in Jesus (prayersofmysoul.wordpress.com)
- “Is right now soon enough for you?” (abnormalanabaptist.wordpress.com)
- HOPE (dianarasmussen.com)
- The true meaning of Christmas (raeeblake.wordpress.com)
- 5 Tips to Stay Stress-Free This Holiday Season (lorensworld.com)
- Coping With Stress During the Christmas Season (christianity.answers.com)
- Dump the Holiday Stress {and Get Something More} (juliesunne.com)
Thank you. Your words just hit home so hard. Wish I could live in the present and not let the past haunt me ao bad this time of year. So much lost and too many hopes that never come true at this time of year. Bless you.
I understand. I pray that God would open new doors for you for every door that has shut. May every ending become a new beginning, in Jesus Name.
Oh, bless you, dear Diana. We must continually choose hope, continually lift our eyes up and outward at God’s amazing creation, continually allow ourselves to be awed by the light and life He brings every morning. As we choose hope, as we stay yoked to Him, we cling to the Life that is our inheritance, and our hearts open to the love, grace and mercy that He freely offers. As we choose hope, we are able to be filled with His peace, and our faith is bolstered in the One who lifts us beyond our circumstances, the One who is always faithful, the One who makes us new.
That is amazing insight Susan – choose Hope. Wow, I love that! And allow ourselves to be ‘awed’…thank you so much Susan for ministering to me today!
Your words are what led me to the comment. Thank you, sweet sister. 😉
Thanks for the encouragement. I do have a tendency to feel kinda down especially during the Christmas season because of life’s circumstances that I have brung upon myself by making bad decisions. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Me too Michael. Lord, renew Michael’s vision this season, show him how awesome You are. Restore everything he has lost 7 times over, in Jesus Name! Let this be a new beginning for all of us here and Merry Christmas my friend!
Thanks, Diana, for the prayer. I’ll pray for you and your ministry also!
Yep! Best not to let yesterday steal today. When it comes to the Lord’s plans for my future, I guess my prayer would be “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” I am trying to remind myself that He often points out areas like these because He is getting ready to change them 🙂 Blessings to you this fine day, Princess!
Amen sis, I am so in the same place…thank you, for truth, you help me see!
Amen from me too!!
Thanks t, how r u doing?