The Most Difficult Time of Year

Hi Everyone! I pray you’re all keeping sane amidst the holiday rush. I had to run some errands yesterday and the lines were out the door everywhere. This is definitely a time to grow in patience. I’ve seen a lot of accidents out there on the road in the past week and a half. Christmas is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of year” but for many, it’s filled with stress and anxiety. As pastors, this is the busiest time of year for us. While many are preparing to celebrate, many others are grieving over the loss of a loved one, or a broken relationship, facing serious health issues, struggling with depression, and more than we may realize are wondering how they’re going to put food on the table, never mind buy presents for their children. If only there really was a Santa Claus to magically drop presents down the chimney! This really is the most difficult time of the year for so many, and even more than ever as the world grows darker. Can you feel the pressure all around you? Even if you’re not personally struggling in any of those ways, it’s almost impossible not to be affected by it as we look around us and even have loved ones dealing with these tremendous difficulties. 

Jesus said in John 16:33:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It may not feel like that sometimes. BUT GOD! He is a covenant-keeping God. If He makes a promise, He keeps it. I hold on to this truth:

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Numbers 23:19

We must hold onto His promises for our lives. Two days ago, I was walking down my dirt road and found string beans lying in the road. This happened last year and I wrote about it and the word the Lord gave me. It was very different this year though, as almost every string bean I encountered was crushed. When I saw that most of the beans were crushed I began to feel a little discouraged. Then I heard the Lord say, “Stop looking at the crushed beans and look at the whole ones in your hand. This is just the beginning. Keep your eyes fixed and focused on me. Watch and see what I will do. “

It’s easy to look around us and feel crushed by the weight of this world, isn’t it?  And it WILL crush if we allow it to… but if we look to Jesus we WILL overcome. In Christ, we have life and life more abundantly. I believe God wants to breathe a fresh breath of life in us today. Some of us are sinking amidst the crushing pressures of this world. Some of us have crushed hopes and dreams. But God is saying “Look to me. I am the resurrection and the life. I want to breathe life into you today. Don’t look at what’s lost but look at what I still have planned for you. Let go of the past. Let go of regret. Place your hope in me. I am your Redeemer. I redeem time. I redeem lives. I redeem destinies. Do not fear. Do not be discouraged. I am your God and with me all things are possible. Do not look to the left or the right. Only look to Me.”

These beans showed up a month earlier than last year and I believe they represent a promise of what’s to come as we fix our eyes on Jesus. God is giving us glimpses of His plan to encourage and strengthen us to hold on. I’m going to continue to look for those whole beans amidst the crushed ones each day, but more, so I am going to push past what I see in the natural and by faith take hold of God’s promise for my life. Will you do that with me? Let’s use our faith to push past crushing circumstances, doctor’s reports, bills, and lies and take hold of God’s promises for us. Let’s live higher than this world says we can. We were created for more. God’s promises are yes and amen and His Word never returns void but always accomplishes what it sets out to do. Today I’m encouraged and filled with renewed hope and fresh grace to do this and I pray you are too in Jesus Name. God has given you a promise of what’s to come. If you aren’t sure what it is open the Bible and discover all the amazing promises God has for you…Of what’s possible in Him. Hold on to those promises. Don’t let go. One of my favorites is that God promises that those who place their hope in Him will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). Thank you, Lord!!

That’s all I wanted to share here for now, friends. I’m putting my most recent Hope for Today video below. It’s all about God’s love and I believe it’s what we all need to hear right now. It’s His love that carries us. His love that never fails. Please listen and share. Blessings!