This weekend, many people are wrapping up their Thanksgiving weekend together with friends and family, but the holidays aren’t so pleasant for everyone and we can’t fake it. In three days, I will celebrate the 20th anniversary of my mother’s death; but I’ll keep on and I won’t stop.
As I look at everyone’s posts on social media, I am painfully aware that the holidays haven’t been the same for me since my parents both died 20 years ago. I am thrilled seeing my little brother post about his first Thanksgiving being a father; I still can’t wrap my brain around that fact. While it is easy to be happy for others, there is still a lingering loss.
For the most of the last 20 years I have celebrated the holidays alone, but oddly enough I have never felt lonely, even without a Christmas call. God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28: 20.)
He is especially close to us during our times of need and trouble (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4; 34:18, 46:1, John 14:27.) God knows we live in a fallen world where our relationship with Him was severed because of sin. Because of sin this world has become corrupted and we all will face hard times. The good news is this world isn’t our permanent home and hard times don’t last (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.)
I believe it is safe to say that 2024 has been a difficult year for most of us, this Christmas will be hard. The economy is still rebounding from the pandemic. Natural disasters have devastated both coastlines. It seems like wars are raging everywhere.
However, my disability has taught me the value of hard times, because it is the struggle that builds our endurance and strength. The very thing we dread the most is likely what is best for us (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-12.)
Since we live in a fallen world, we shouldn’t be surprised by our hardships. More so, for those of us who belong to God, we shouldn’t be surprised. We have known for over 2000 years, there would be hard times and turbulent skies in the last days (Matthew 24:1-51,2 Timothy 3:1-17, 2 Peter 3:3-10.)
Ever since the fall, this world has been at war with God and His purposes (Psalm 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:4, James 4:4.) Both JESUS and the early church fathers encourage us that we are not alone in our struggles. Also, our brothers and sisters in the faith are facing the same trials (John 14: number 16-17, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 5:7-9, James 1:2-4.)
I can’t even imagine how hard it is for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted around the world for the gospel. Our first-world hardships don’t compare to the third-world struggles they endure for sharing the good news of Jesus; God is our only Comforter.
The gospel message doesn’t just apply to where we spend eternity; it also gives us hope during our days and struggles in this life. Jesus promised that He has overcome the world and its evil (John 16:33.)
If you have been disappointed and tested this year, rest assured God hasn’t abandoned you. I would be more concerned if I didn’t face hardships and this life. I remember the old cliché growing up, “If the devil is after you, it’s because he already has you.” God has promised to be with His people throughout the Bible (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10.) God is with us.
He was with Moses in Egypt, He was with David against Goliath, and He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Just like Jesus was present with the Disciples in the boat during the storm and again with Stephen before the Sanhedrin, Jesus is with each of us today.
Jesus warned us that if the world hated Him, it would hate us also, it isn’t thanking you for being different (John 15:18-20.) We shouldn’t be surprised when hardships hit home, especially during the holidays when we celebrate our Lord Jesus.
If you think the HOLIDAYS are bad for us and the times are hard now, imagine what it was like when Jesus was born. Galilee, Judeo, and Samaria were under a dictator’s rule who was trying to kill all of the Hebrew male babies.
The two social classes were to the extreme and Jesus was born into the poorest class. Judeo was extremely politically divided and Palestine was ravaged by violence and endless wars. That first Christmas was a nightmare for Jesus and His family who would soon become illegal immigrants in a foreign land.
Poor
Hungry
Homeless
On the run from the corrupt government
Unfortunately, most of us in America have become accustomed to a romanticized version of the holidays where all is bright and no one is hurting. God and Christian teaching have been replaced by Santa and holiday traditions, even within many Christian homes.
We forget we celebrate a humble King who was hated by this world, yet brought joy to the world. We expect to be comfortable and cozy, instead of persecuted and tested. And far too many Christians forget to store up treasures in heaven because they place too much hope in temporary greatness and temporary earthly gifts (Matthew 6:19-20.)
As one pastor puts it, “It’s not that God doesn’t want us to have things of this world, He doesn’t want the things of this world to have us.” That’s why we shouldn’t be surprised by the hardships of the holidays or living in a fallen world (1 Peter 4:12.)
