December 20, 2014 - Feelings

Sooner or later, it is bound to happen. You get to that point. The point when you are just tired of being tired, ready for life to be normal, needing to get ready for Christmas but too worn out to clean, cook or wrap presents. When you find yourself shopping for a wig instead of those last-minute Christmas gifts. It's a rather dark place to be. 

I feel like we have been climbing a mountain for the last 2 months; I thought we were getting close to the end, but when we got to the next level, instead of seeing the summit, there's a cliff that we need to navigate.

That is what today feels like. And I have no doubt that there are a lot of my friends who feel like Christmas isn't Christmas, for whatever reason. A broken relationship, a lost job, an illness, the loss of a loved one... If we only look at what is happening around us, we can feel pretty low. 

But that's the key - "feelings" are not reliable, and we are selling ourselves short if we let our feelings dictate our day! God has given us the tools to deal with discouragement, pain, weakness. When we lean into Him, He will provide the peace, strength and encouragement that we need. When we reach out to Him, He is there! Here are some of my favorite verses:

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, for The Lord YOUR God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (Psalms 56:3 NLT)

When we lean on God, He is there to walk with us through the test. 

Thanks so much to a sweet friend who sent the quote below to me this morning; God used you to bless me today. 

No matter what, God says He will
- still be the cornerstone of my life
- protect me
- lift my head high
- restore my joy
- give me peace that passes understanding
- put me back together
- open my eyes to new opportunities
- lead me to triumph
- make me wiser and stronger as a result of this trial
- catch me
- help me in my time of need
- hear my cry
- breath life into me
- cover me
- draw close to me
- send His angels to comfort me. 

You are loved.

Merry Christmas!