With the happiest time of the year knocking at our door, a lot of us are trying to make it through the thick of the hardest part of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas can be wonderful times with family and friends, but it also brings with it stress and difficult situations to navigate. But there is hope. There are three things to remember when you are in the thick of the hard.
Number one: Difficult situations don’t alter God’s unwavering goodness. His goodness remains steadfast even in the face of the hard. No matter what we are facing in life, we can always depend on the goodness of God. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. When we have our full trust in Him, He will take care of us and guide us through the tough times. Nahum 1:7 tells us, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Number two: Growth is happening within you, even if the progress seems invisible in the moment. Spiritual growth, just like physical growth, does not happen overnight. It takes time, and sometimes the progress is slow. God continually encourages us towards spiritual growth. Through the Scriptures, we are taught how to grow up in Christ. We are never to just go through the motions of a Christian life, we are urged to grow and mature to become more like Christ. When times are hard, it may seem as if we are in a rut, but if we keep pressing on in faith, we will grow in Christ. We must remember that living things grow, and as long as we are walking with Christ, we will continue to have a maturing relationship with Him. Psalm 92:12-13 says, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
Number three: Focus your gaze on Him and anchor your heart in His presence. Amid the turbulence, He’s right beside you. He’s not a distant observer. He’s actively involved. When you are walking with Christ, you are never alone. God wants to be active in our lives. God truly cares about what we care about. He is our loving Father and wants to be involved in every tiny detail of our lives. When you are walking in the thick of worries and hardships, it can make you feel that you are all alone. That is exactly how Satan wants you to feel. Satan wants you to fell alone and abandoned; that is one of the greatest lies he tells us. God loves us and will never leave us. He even sent his Son to die for our sins in order for us to have a way to someday live with him forever. God never tires of hearing from His children. So when things seem hard, pray and don’t stop. God will never leave us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So when the stress of the holidays and just life in general try to keep you separated from God, remember that He is with us in the thick of things. He will never leave our side. Keep yourself focused on God. Read his words daily. Pray constantly. You are never alone in this world. Remember you are loved and a child of God. Everything will truly be okay.
This week’s recipe will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. It is a delicious salad featuring two of fall’s star vegetables. I hope you love it as much as my family does.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
November 14, 2024
