Almost Christmas...but not yet! Oh yeah it's called Advent.
This year has been tough, and is actually an understatement. Not that the ones before were easy - Covid, the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Russia. Remember? Who can forget, my head is spinning. But we are not here to talk about Covid, or the beginning of those horrible conflicts that are going on around the world. We are here to talk about 2024, and how to feel joy regardless of what is going on in your city, your country, the world.
There is uncertainty and fear for many. There are horrible situations that you might be going through. How in the world can we be expected to feel joy?
Well God tells us, in Phillipians 4:8, that: "in every situation...whatever is:
- True
- Good
- Holy
- Honorable
- Just
- Lovely
- Commendable
- If there is any excellence
- Anything worthy of praise
Think about these things !"
So yes there are terrible things some people are going through - that is a fact. But if we have to go through something, and there is nothing we can do about it, at least we can mitigate the hardships and the evil we encounter, and we can draw some good and get enough strength and healing to go through it.
We can always receive grace, we can always receive healing, God always wants to comfort us and draw us close to His Heart. All we need to do is our part. So go ahead and think about that list, don't let anyone or anything steal your free will. There must be something you can think of, something you can hold on to, something you can chose to think about - other than whatever evil is surrounding you.
God is ready! Ready to hold us in His arms, we just have to let Him!
All we need to do is to use the power of our will. Control our minds and not let ourselves sink into the depths of depression. self pity and despair - that will not help. That will make things worse, it will change us, consume us, finish us!
Do not let your circumstances take the best of you!
Rise above, by asking Jesus Christ to come to your aid.
Even if all you have is a tiny bit of strength use it for the prayer : Jesus Help me!
He will come right away.
God promises that when we do our part "and the God of peace will guard our hearts and minds" He will come to our aid. He alone knows what we need most. He will surround us with protection, strength and peace.
This Advent there is a lot we can do, no matter what our circumstances. Why? Because we have the power to pray and God is on our side. We have the power to offer up our hardships for a greater good to come out of them. And we have the power to hope in Him who is our Saviour. He will come, He will help, He will heal. This Advent chose Hope!
All we have to do is ask, and trust.
May the God of peace that surpasses all understanding be with you!