CHRISTMAS...GOD...A BROKEN HEART
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves such as have a humble spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Broken hearts are not uncommon during this "season to be jolly." Grief and loss are a very real part of each holiday (holy day.) One need only turn on our 24/7 news cycle to know for a fact that the families of 20 children and 6 adults will be journeying through the valley of the shadow of death during this season of Christmas Carols, Choir Cantatas, Christmas parties and Christmas plays. Brightly wrapped presents will be dampened because many of us are missing some very special people who are no longer present this side of eternity. Or we have lost a job... or a family member's health or our health is grieving us. Yes indeed... a broken heart is a very real part of everyday living.
Yet, as we commemorate the birth of the Son of God who is one with God, we might help ourselves to remember that this same baby is the "Wonderful Counselor!" He "A man of sorrows acquainted with grief." He is one who has been "tempted/tried in every way that we have been," and this special ONE gives us an invitation to "Come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find the grace to help us in this very hour of need." Hebrews 4:15-16
You may say, "What are you talking about SoJourner?" I am talking about you drawing "near to God, and God WILL draw near to you." James 4:8a I am talking about casting ALL your cares upon Him because He cares about y-o-u. 1 Peter 5:7 I am talking about you turning to the One who can comfort you and says of you, "blessed are they that mourn for they WILL be comforted." Matthew 5:4 I am hoping you will call on the Holy Spirit (The Holy Comforter/Counselor) to be in you and with you to work His miracle of comforting grace in your heart.
Is your heart broken? Let me invite you to open your heart to the very real truth that the LORD is near to you. Take a long slow deep breath and let it out slowly. Know that God has breathed this breath of life into your ancestors and to you that you might "become" ....the living soul He wants you to be. He wants you to continue your life. He wants you to go on living. He wants you to keep on keeping on.
However, He does not want you to walk alone: Sit for a while with Him, or get on your knees and cry out to Him. Pray according to your custom. Or if you don't have one... well... its okay to start a custom. God will help you. Tell God about what has happened. Sure He already knows, but He wants you to be able to let go of some of the pain by giving it to Him. Tell Him about your feelings... your shock, your anger, how depressed you feel and release your anger to Him. "God has big shoulders. (Vicki McGowen.) Go ahead... really cast ALL your cares on God... bargain with the Father as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Talk about the thoughts you have and be honest with Him about your beliefs, opinions, and assumptions. Be honest with God because God already knows what you is going on inside of you. Don't forget to tell God what you want, and ask Him to give you grace to want what He wants, as did Jesus in Gethsemane. Maybe do this by sitting down and writing a letter to God about all this?????
However, He does not want you to walk alone: Sit for a while with Him, or get on your knees and cry out to Him. Pray according to your custom. Or if you don't have one... well... its okay to start a custom. God will help you. Tell God about what has happened. Sure He already knows, but He wants you to be able to let go of some of the pain by giving it to Him. Tell Him about your feelings... your shock, your anger, how depressed you feel and release your anger to Him. "God has big shoulders. (Vicki McGowen.) Go ahead... really cast ALL your cares on God... bargain with the Father as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Talk about the thoughts you have and be honest with Him about your beliefs, opinions, and assumptions. Be honest with God because God already knows what you is going on inside of you. Don't forget to tell God what you want, and ask Him to give you grace to want what He wants, as did Jesus in Gethsemane. Maybe do this by sitting down and writing a letter to God about all this?????
Remember and believe that God is near to you and your broken heart. Give "it all" to Him today. Be honest. Humble yourself before Him and seek God's guidance. Keep this up, as you begin to see the salvation of the Lord at work in you today, this day...in this life.
Here is something for you to think about: Allow yourself to grieve with Hope: Hold On to Promises Eternal: These promises have sustained people for thousands of years. Keep in mind that this realm is not all there is to the universe. Fill up your mind with scriptures that build hope and faith. Read them out loud because "Faith comes by hearing the word of God." Romans 10:17. Depending on who or what you are grieving, read all of Psalm 139 or Psalm 23... slowly. Read Matthew 18:20b or Hebrews 13:5. Do this to know God is nearby.
If your grief is about loved ones who are no longer on this side of "glory." Read Hebrews the 11th Chapter about people who lived and died in faith. Then read Hebrews 12:1 to know that your loved one is in the heavenly realm, with the other triumphant church members, cheering you on. And victorious Jesus is in the crowd with them Hebrews 12:2. Remember we believe in the "communion of the saints." The Apostles Creed. So its okay to talk out loud to them and be assured they are some how mysteriously listening in that other realm. Sit down and write them a letter, look it over and, when you are ready to do so, put it in a fire pit where you burn it like incense (a symbol of prayer going up to heaven) and release it all to Jesus. You just might be surprised what God does with that "prayer" as He gives you the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Don't forget, for those who are grieving the passing of a loved one -- or loved ones-- to read out loud promises from John 14:1-6,27... 1 Corinthians 15 and or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In a very real way, these verses fulfill the purpose for the coming of the LORD Jesus.
Yes it is indeed Christmas. No it is NOT really, for everyone, the season to be jolly. There is a good chance, if you are reading this blog...your heart is breaking or broken. Rest assured, Christ Follower, that God is watching over you. He is near to your broken heart and you. He wants to comfort you and give saving grace to your grief moments. He simply wants you to turn to Him as humbly as you know how and then ....
Here is something for you to think about: Allow yourself to grieve with Hope: Hold On to Promises Eternal: These promises have sustained people for thousands of years. Keep in mind that this realm is not all there is to the universe. Fill up your mind with scriptures that build hope and faith. Read them out loud because "Faith comes by hearing the word of God." Romans 10:17. Depending on who or what you are grieving, read all of Psalm 139 or Psalm 23... slowly. Read Matthew 18:20b or Hebrews 13:5. Do this to know God is nearby.
If your grief is about loved ones who are no longer on this side of "glory." Read Hebrews the 11th Chapter about people who lived and died in faith. Then read Hebrews 12:1 to know that your loved one is in the heavenly realm, with the other triumphant church members, cheering you on. And victorious Jesus is in the crowd with them Hebrews 12:2. Remember we believe in the "communion of the saints." The Apostles Creed. So its okay to talk out loud to them and be assured they are some how mysteriously listening in that other realm. Sit down and write them a letter, look it over and, when you are ready to do so, put it in a fire pit where you burn it like incense (a symbol of prayer going up to heaven) and release it all to Jesus. You just might be surprised what God does with that "prayer" as He gives you the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Don't forget, for those who are grieving the passing of a loved one -- or loved ones-- to read out loud promises from John 14:1-6,27... 1 Corinthians 15 and or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In a very real way, these verses fulfill the purpose for the coming of the LORD Jesus.
Yes it is indeed Christmas. No it is NOT really, for everyone, the season to be jolly. There is a good chance, if you are reading this blog...your heart is breaking or broken. Rest assured, Christ Follower, that God is watching over you. He is near to your broken heart and you. He wants to comfort you and give saving grace to your grief moments. He simply wants you to turn to Him as humbly as you know how and then ....
BE BLESSED 2DAY...
ESPECIALLY THIS KIND OF DAY
SoJourner
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