We are all handling things. Hectic schedules. Kids. Marriage. Jobs. Family dynamics. Sick pets. Cancer treatment. Divorce. Death of loved ones. Disappointment. The list never ends. And because trials keep coming our hearts can get so weary.
Have you ever lost heart when things got more than you could handle?
How does it feel to lose heart? The idea that you have anything special to offer the world… fades. Adventure seems distant and life is only drudgery. And the idea that anyone cares about your heart and is coming for you is only a distant childhood fantasy.
We can lose heart in the midst of life’s really hard moments because we doubt that God is for us. And this doubt is Satan’s oldest trick.
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:2-6
Satan knows that if we can take our eyes off the lover of our souls, we can begin to believe his lies. Lies from the pit of hell such as: God doesn’t care what happens to you, God is indifferent to your pain, God isn’t paying attention, or God has other priorities. Satan will throw these ideas across your path like broken glass in your hardest moments, tempting your heart to despair.
But… Christmas. That word is like a sigh of relief from the depth of our souls. God with us. The God of the universe decided that humanity was so precious to him that he would come save them himself. All they had to do was believe. Believe that he was truly for them; here in the person of Jesus Christ and offering restored relationship with God.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:10-13
God will allow you more than you can handle to come into your life, because he knows that HE can handle it. God is for you and he treasures your heart over everything else in the world he created. So when life throws hard things your way feel the sorrow, and then take it right to the one who knows you best and loves you most.
I don’t know what you’re handling right now, but Christmas is the best news your heart ever got. The God of the universe came down to prove that he is for you, he loves you, and he would move mountains to reach you.
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1
Do not let your heart be troubled. Christmas. Has. Come.
Grow Anyway 