I see the bright lights on the Christmas trees all around me. I hear the sounds of traditional Christmas music as I shop for the perfect little gifts to give the ones I love. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, they say. To be happy and cheerful. I know many of us fully embrace all that this season brings. Especially the gift of Jesus. Yet I know, many might be carrying an extra load of worry, anxiety, fear or loneliness right now. Especially if you are facing tough situations, changes, challenges and the unknowns. Sometimes it’s easy to choose to rely upon our own strength rather than upon God and His Word. If you’re anything like me, then you know that we can often forget that God can handle ANY problem. Or perhaps we think that we can just go ahead and handle the situation better ourselves…especially when it feels like our prayers aren’t being heard or answered or overlooked.
Either way, when we choose to lean on our own understanding instead of God’s promises, we are placing ourselves, or the overwhelming situations we are facing, “ahead” or “before” the Lord. The moment we step into that place of self-reliance, we open our emotions to a flood gate of worry and anxiety and fear, which for me brings another measure of loneliness.
But God wants us to be FREE from this! In Scripture, Jesus confronts our anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34). He tells us to look at how God feeds the birds of the air and arrays the lilies of the field. How much more will He care for His children? Care for YOU! Care for ME!
As we grow in our understanding of God’s character and love for us, His commitment to us AND provision, may we also grow in the absolute truth that not one thing in this world can separate us from His love and care. No financial burden, family crisis, job situation, election, sickness…NOTHING in the past and nothing in the future!
Because He cares SOOO deeply for us, we can cast our anxiety on Him. Our worry on Him. Our fear on Him or any depression that might be trying to rob us of living life. He’ll carry it with care and commitment and HE will always have the final word over everything!
Today, if you find yourself carrying that extra load, I pray that you would be able to find more strength to lay your burden down…even a little and trust that HE is with you and FOR you and will NEVER leave! You are NOT alone and Scripture says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”
‘Tis the season to let Him bring rest to your soul. Hope to your soul. Strength to your soul. Peace to your soul. And an abundance of Joy with every new day.
Merry Christmas and a happy blessed and fulfilled New Year!
Tammy Trent is the new co-host of LIFE TODAY. Visit her website at www.tammytrent.com. Copyright ©2022 by Tammy Trent. Used by permission.
