Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to take time to be healed

Take Time to Heal
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up.”

—Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NKJV)

As I sat in silence with my eyes closed, I opened my heart and ears to receive from God. I focused on four words mentally. Lord, please heal me.

I waited for the presence of God to wash over me. I calmly inhaled and exhaled as I practiced patience. I eagerly anticipated meeting God in this moment. I made time to stop my busyness and quiet the noise in my world to make space for a God encounter. It was my time to heal. At the feet of Jesus Christ, I knelt to bask in His healing presence.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 is a declaration of a wise man named Solomon. After having lived life as a king, he reflects on his life’s lessons. He emphasizes the importance of the cycles of life. There is a time and season for all things, he assures us. There is a time to kill. In order to birth new things many times, we must experience the death of the old. Dying makes room for life and new things. While we should never kill a human being (Exodus 20:13), we must kill anything that would inhibit God’s purpose in our lives. This includes toxic relationships, unhealthy or destructive patterns, negative or false beliefs, and bad practices in our lives.

Healing has its proper place in the cycles of life. Sometimes we are wounded by the ones we love and honor unintentionally. Sometimes we are the casualties of our life’s battles, or the battles of others. We hurt in different ways. We experience loss and disappointment. We are wounded physically, spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically. We experience some sort of trauma.

It’s easy to ignore the hurt and put on a brave face. It’s easy to refuse to grieve properly and become busy. It’s easy to drown yourself in work or in the care of others. But we must learn how to stop. We must make and take time to heal. As women—mothers and wives—we take on so much. As natural nurturers we are very much concerned with the care of others. So much so, that we sometimes neglect ourselves and our self-care.

If we do not care for ourselves, our body will cry out with warning signs. This may look like body aches, emotional turmoil, forgetfulness, insomnia, crankiness, depression, anxiety, isolation, increased stress levels, etc. Our bodies tell the story. Our bodies are our physical houses—we only get one, so we must care for it intentionally. King Solomon admonishes us that healing is essential to a healthy lifestyle. We can heal in several ways.

I’d like to discuss a few ways that we can heal today:

We heal ourselves with our diet. I’ve learned that food is the fuel that nourishes our bodies. Nutritious foods provide the necessary elements for growth and nourishment to our bodies. Water hydrates us and positively benefits all the systems in our body. Conversely, what we ingest has the power to destroy and break down our body systems. A diet high in sugar, salt, and fat can clog arteries, cause weight gain, and overwork organs. Obesity is a very real disease that causes other physical diseases and can shorten our lifespan. Take time to heal the body with a healthy diet.

We heal ourselves with rest. Rest encompasses sleep and awake time. Sleep plays an intricate role in our healing. During sleep, our bodies and minds reset for the coming day. Our body clocks set again and prepare for the work ahead. Our sleep patterns monitor our hormones and daily functioning. We should sleep for one fourth of our day to power up for the remaining 16 hours. During our time awake, we must also take mental and physical breaks. We can practice silence or Christian meditation. We can also sit and reflect and take time to rest our bodies and minds. Our bodies will thank us.

We heal ourselves with self-care. It matters how we treat ourselves. The first relationship that we have is one with ourselves. It is healing to truly love and accept yourself. We deserve love and to know how much our Maker loves us. We should ask God to help us see ourselves how He sees us. The Bible says we are beautiful and valuable to God (Psalm 139:14). He says that we are good and worthy of love (Genesis 1:31). We should treat ourselves as such. Encourage yourself and care for yourself. Treat yourself to a good life and new experiences. Take the trip. Eat your favorite food sometimes. Get the massage and take yourself on a date. You deserve it. Make time to be still and reflect on God’s goodness. Speak kindly to yourself. Journal and reflect on your wins and celebrate. Process the pain and talk to a licensed therapist. Deal with your trauma and heal your inner child. That is self-care. It is your time to heal.

We can heal our relationships. This includes your relationships with God and others. If you are far from God or angry at Him, reconcile with Him. God loves us more than we can ever know or understand. Express your anger and bitterness toward Him; He already knows how you feel. He’s waiting for you to come to Him and talk about it. He is not intimidated by our feelings. Deal with the relational hurt from family members and/or friends that has plagued you for years. Acknowledge and release the bitterness and resentment from years past. Face the woundedness from experiences of rejection and being misunderstood by people you love. Admit your struggle with misplaced anger and frustration. Mourn that loss and properly grieve instead of ignoring the pain or covering it with busyness. It’s time to stop and make space for your healing, for your health’s sake.

Remember: God has made us stewards over our temples (bodies), time, talent, and treasure. In order to be great stewards, we must prioritize our healing. This means that we must heal our temples through our diet. We must heal our temples with appropriate rest. We must heal our temples with appropriate self-care. And we must heal our relationships with ourselves, God, and others. Healing is a process that requires time and intention. It is your right. You deserve to heal and be healthy.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are the Lord our God who heals us. Help us to understand that healing is essential to our life and it is our right as Your children. Cause us to make time to heal. Help us to quiet the noise and stop our busyness for your purpose of healing in our lives. Cause us to see the signs in our lives that cry out for healing then help us to respond with giving ourselves rest and proper self-care. Help us to heal our relationship with ourselves, with You, and with others. Grant us the grace to take the first step in our healing journey. Teach us how to partner with You so that we may be healed and whole. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Healer” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Healing Has Begun” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor is a woman of faith. She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter. 

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native where she lives today.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of hope

Why Jesus Christ is Our Bright Morning Star
A devotional by Dr. Gladys Childs

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

—Revelation 22:16 (ESV)

The title “Bright Morning Star” carries theological significance, pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of hope. In the darkness of sin and death, His light breaks through, signaling the dawn of God's eternal Kingdom.

As the morning star precedes the sun, Jesus precedes the full revelation of God's glory, offering us a foretaste of the new creation He will bring to fruition, anchoring His identity in both fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the inauguration of God's final reign.

In the ancient world, the morning star was the first glimmer of light before dawn, heralding the new day. In the same way, Jesus, as the Bright Morning Star, heralds the inbreaking of God's Kingdom—a kingdom where light, truth, and righteousness reign. His light dispels the darkness of sin, confusion, and suffering. He brings clarity, redemption, and unshakable hope where the world sees despair. As the Light of the World, Jesus doesn't merely illuminate our understanding; He transforms the fabric of our existence, reshaping our lives and calling us into His transformative light.

Christ’s title as the Bright Morning Star symbolizes His role in creation and transitioning to a new era with His first coming when he was born as a baby to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. This New Covenant offers salvation through grace rather than the law. Just as the morning star heralds the dawn, Jesus prepares us for His full glory at His second coming—this time as our Risen Lord and Savior and King—having already begun the restoration by breaking the power of darkness.

Theologically, the Bright Morning Star symbolizes Christ's preeminence and supremacy over all things. He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). In His light, we find our purpose and identity. The act of creation highlights Jesus as the agent of new beginnings, signifying the One who restores all things and brings clarity to our chaotic world.

As believers in God, Jesus calls us to walk in His light, reflecting the brilliance of Christ in a world often overshadowed by darkness. Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, has already lit the way. Our task is to step into that light, live purposefully, and shine with the hope He gives.

Where do you see the darkness of despair in your life or the world around you? Ask the Bright Morning Star to shine His transforming light, bringing hope, healing, and a new beginning.

Let’s Pray: Jesus, Bright Morning Star, shine Your light into the deepest corners of my heart. Help me to live in Your truth and hope, reflecting Your light to a dark world. Surround us with Your love and bless us with perfect peace. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Light of the World (feat. Dwayne Lee)” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

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Connect with Gladys:
Website: https://www.gladyschilds.com/
Blog: https://www.gladyschilds.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgladyschilds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GladysAnnChilds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GladysChilds
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gladyschildsauthor/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be a bright STAR for Jesus Christ

Be the Light
A devotional by Peg Arnold

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

—John 8:12 (NIV)

I love the beautiful and bright displays of Christmas holiday lights that are up during this time of year!

As I see them in my neighborhood, on the exterior of local buildings, inside local businesses, on the lampposts in the parking lots of places like the mall and grocery stores, and in other locations, I smile because they remind me of the reason for this season: celebrating our Savior and King (Jesus Christ).

But did you ever notice that some lights sparkle and some shine? Shining lights appear as steady, radiating beams. Sparkling and glistening lights usually have irregular or interrupted flashes. For example, we may say the stars shine and sparkle. But we never say the sun or the moon sparkles. Those are always steady, shining lights. Regardless of the type, all lights dispel darkness when they are on.

Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the ultimate light. He encourages us to also be a light by allowing His Light to shine through us so we can shine His love into the lives of others. According to John 8:12 (NIV), Jesus is the light of the world and people who follow Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in the world around us.

What kind of light (sparkling or shining) do you reflect?

Since a sparkling light is an irregular emission of light, if you sparkle, you might have times when God is not reflected through you. It could be because of a struggle, hurt, fatigue, doubt, or even busyness. But a shining light is consistent in its glow. It may be dimmer sometimes, but the light never flickers despite challenges, insecurities, and busyness.

Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:8 (NIV), “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” For us to walk as children of the light means living in a way that reflects the character of God. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV), “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The good deeds Jesus refers to are those actions that demonstrate love and acceptance. God said to love Him and others. When we do this to the best of our abilities, we shine.

Sometimes, the stresses of life may cause us to sparkle instead of shine. I remember one Christmas when my husband was unemployed. It was a challenge, and our lights flickered quite a bit. We had to make a change. Others surrounded us with love and helped us to see the gifts in relationships rather than things. Our light became stronger through prayer, trusting God, and experiencing His faithfulness.

Here are four ways to help you remember how to shine for Jesus that make an acronym (STAR):

Seek Him first: “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).

Trust Him completely: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5).

Align your heart with His: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Rely on His Word: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Instead of sparkling this season, be the light of Jesus and shine like a STAR.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of Jesus, the Light of the World. Help us reflect His light in our lives, whether in steady shining or brief moments of sparkle. Strengthen us to seek You first, trust You fully, and love others as You have called us. May our actions glorify You and point others to Your hope and peace. Guide us by Your Word and help us shine like stars in the darkness for Your glory.

In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Hold Up the Light” by New Jersey Mass Choir. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher is a Drama Queen for Jesus. 

Her vibrant, interactive, and soul-stirring messages encourage all to embrace their God-given value. As a mom, wife, nana, mentor, with a master’s in counseling, she connects on a personal basis by sharing her joys and challenges of many life experiences through her dramas, messages, and witness. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious.

She has published devotions on YouVersion and in the Upper Room. In addition, she has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, three anthologies, numerous articles, and blogs. Her devotional, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, received a 2022 OASIS award.

Peg desires everyone to know that their story is important and has a purpose. She grew up in Michigan and raised her family in Maryland. Later in life, Peg and her husband relocated close to their family in Colorado.

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Connect with Peg:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnoldpeg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pegarnoldwow
Website: https://pegarnold.org/ Get some freebies when you visit!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC51V_iWr0RfGAQvQnWVXEoA
Devotions for the Distracted Heart blog: https://pegarnold.wordpress.com/
YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22261-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Holiday YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28680-holiday-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wonderofwomen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/peg-arnold-wow

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God tells us to go

When God Asks You to Go Where You Never Wanted to Go
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

Imagine if Ruth said no.

When God whispered to Ruth’s spirit, urging her to leave her homeland to follow Naomi to a foreign land where she may face rejection, I wonder if she trembled in fear. If Ruth had been focused on what she could see, she probably wouldn’t have followed her mother-in-law to a foreign land. As a young woman newly widowed, did she desire to one day remarry?

If so, why did she opt to travel to Israel where prospects would be slim? Oh, I’m sure there would be men of marriageable age, but were Israelite men willing to marry a Moabite woman? Not likely. If her goal was marriage, then it seemed she should’ve stayed in Moab and married one of her own people.

If the thought crossed her mind, she didn’t let it stay there. Instead, Ruth pledged loyalty to Naomi saying, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17 ESV). Had Ruth given into fear and what she could see in the short-term, she would’ve missed out on the immense blessings that came from her obedience, including marriage to Boaz, children, and opportunity to be part of Jesus Christ’s lineage.

Let’s also examine the real-life stories of three more Bible characters: Saul (also known as Paul), Esther and Abraham. What if Saul had refused to listen to Jesus Christ when He confronted him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31)? Saul never would have been changed for the better by God and made a new man to be on mission for Christ. What if Queen Esther who had hidden her Jewish heritage from the king, had allowed the possibility of death to hold her back from approaching the king’s throne, uninvited, to speak to him on behalf of her people (Esther 4 and Esther 5)? Finally, what would’ve happened if Abraham had chosen to stay in a familiar place when God called him to leave his home and everything he knew to go to a foreign land and start over (Genesis 12:1-4)?

God called each of these people to trust Him and to step out into the unknown. Ruth, Esther, Paul, and Abraham each had a choice: They could fix their gaze firmly on what they wanted (a spouse, a life of meaning, life itself, comfortability) and go the way they thought would take them where they wanted to end up or they could go God’s way, even when He asked them to go in what seemed to be the opposite direction.

Saying yes to God’s call meant saying no to what was easy in the interim. But the joy and blessings that follow surrender are worth more than anything any of those people from the Bible era—or any of us in this modern day—must give up.

There have been moments in my own life recently where it seems the Lord is stretching my faith. There are things on my heart, and whether these desires of my heart are from the Lord, I don’t know. But I do know that the Lord is consistently giving me the opportunity to grow and surrender. There are times when I long for something, and I feel in my heart the quiet whisper from the Lord. “Okay, I see what you want. Now trust Me.”

And just like that, He asks me to go what seems to be the opposite direction. Like Ruth. Like Abraham. Like Paul. Like Esther. And like every single one of us.

Now, let me clarify. This is not God telling me, “Oh, you want to be a writer? Don’t write. Go and do something completely different.” But it’s more about things that are beyond my control.

There are times when my heart is filled with faith, and I choose God’s way even though I can’t even fathom how or if the dots will ever be connected. It’s so important for us—albeit difficult, and I often fail miserably—to trust God and surrender to Him even if the answer is no. But the times when He finally connects the dots in a way that only He could’ve done, there’s no way I or anyone else could take credit for such things. It’s in those moments that I can only stand amazed and say, “Jesus got me here.”

But sometimes I choose fear and go my way because it doesn’t seem God will get me where I want to go. Then, when I finally reach my destination, I realize what I wanted is no longer within my reach. Circumstances changed, and had I gone the way God asked me to, I would’ve ended up where I wanted.

Dear friend, surrender is a beautiful thing. I praise God for His mercies and grace that are new every morning even when I fail. I want to encourage you today to follow God no matter what the cost. Even if He says no because He truly does know best.

I advise you to always go with God, even if He challenges your faith and asks you to go in what seems to be the opposite direction from the things you want.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, 

Forgive me for not trusting You with everything. Please help me to lay it all down and to choose Your way even if it doesn’t make sense with what I can see. I know Your ways are higher than my own. I choose to believe Your Word over my fears. Please help me. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I don’t deserve it. 

In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Trust You Again” by RH Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God Speaking” by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Surrender All” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: "I Will Go" by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to make a Christmas to remember

How to Experience the Wonder of Christ’s Presence This Christmas
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”— Matthew 2:9-11 (NIV)

We’ve all heard it said a thousand times that Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, but for many of us, the holiday rush only magnifies our grief, disappointment, and loneliness.

I’ve been on my own since my parents passed away several years ago. As an only child, I’m used to it, but I often feel like an orphan longing for somewhere to call home. While everyone else has a place to celebrate this month, I am content sitting before the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

I’ll admit that I sometimes lose sight of the Christmas story when mine disappoints me. Don’t get me wrong. I love shopping, sipping hot chocolate, attending parties, and singing carols. Still, when I feel like my Christmas plans are not enough, Jesus Christ reassures me that His presence always is.

Christmas is less about finding the perfect gift and more about encountering Jesus with the same wonder the three wise men experienced that cold, starry night.

Imagine the anticipation as they followed the star to Bethlehem on their journey to meet the newborn King promised centuries before. When they arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, it was clear they spared no expense to honor Him.

As you reflect on that miraculous night, imagine being present at the manger worshipping Jesus. Dictionary.com defines the word "present" as:

1. a thing presented as a gift: Christmas presents.

2. focused on or involved in what one is doing at a particular moment.

Jesus Christ entered this world not so we could cross everything off our lists, but so we could receive His invitation to join His forever family.

If, like me, your heart longs for more this season, escape the holiday rat race for a moment and sit at the feet of Jesus. You’ll find you don’t have to be a wise man to make this a Christmas to remember.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, when I compare my Christmas to everyone else’s, help me remember that the reason I celebrate is because Your Son (Jesus Christ) came to this Earth to be my Savior and Lord. When the world tempts me to focus on earthly treasures, Christ is the greatest gift of all, and the joy I feel when I enter His presence is always enough for me. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Light A Candle” by AVALON. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their ‘best of’ spread.

 

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Sarah's devotionals have been published in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts. Her short story will be featured in an upcoming book, Too Amazing For Coincidence, also to be published by Guideposts. To this day, Sarah smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she's not writing, she's enjoying her hobbies that include dog sitting, watching cooking shows and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: When you are having a Blue Christmas

Are You Having a Blue Christmas?
A devotional by Joy Beless

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

—Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

There are some memories that are etched in your mind forever. Those moments seem to hang in endless time.

One such memory for me was the holiday season in 1980. I was a freshman in college when I received a phone call during the week of Thanksgiving stating that my father, at age 49, had a massive heart attack. This seemed impossible for someone who was active and worked with his hands to fix everything. I’ll never forget sitting alone in the ICU waiting room, encouraging my mom and family to have a meal with friends on Thanksgiving Day. It was my turn to hold vigil and pray over my father, asking God to help him to make it through that day—and he did. He continued to recover through December, only to have triple bypass surgery shortly after Christmas.

I wish I could say that was the only holiday season marked with a hospital stay, life-threatening illness, or even death. But it wasn’t. And if we are honest, most of us have lived in the tension of a great loss, anxiety, estranged relationships, job loss, et cetera, during the holidays. The polarized internal emotions compete to see who will win. The dual playlist of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “In the Bleak Midwinter” take turns playing over each other in grating succession. The repetitive question from the people around us asking, “Are you ready for Christmas?” echoes in your ear as you nod your head. But you don’t offer too much of an answer because you are aware that it is a nicety and not meant to be honestly answered.

Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. The season of Advent leading up to Christmas day is a season of waiting, watching, and hoping. The reality of this world does not measure up to the Christmas movies we binge-watch to numb our authentic—some good, some bad—circumstances that simply do not take a break during Christmastime in December. I would dare to say that instead, the season of Advent is an invitation to bring our reality into the waiting, watching, and hoping of the holiday season.

Several years ago, after an especially difficult November when I spent the night in the hospital with two different loved ones, I just couldn’t pretend to be cheery and bright. I gave myself permission not to be but rather understood more than ever the gift of Jesus Christ, who also entered our world as a baby born to a financially poor couple (Mary and Joseph) who lived in an occupied land before escaping as refugees to a foreign land. I didn’t need to put on a happy face for Jesus because He understood and met me in that place.

A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the concept of a “Blue Christmas Service,” which I was not familiar with. This is a service traditionally on or near the winter solstice—the year’s longest night—and with the use of candles, scripture, carols, and prayers, hold space for the weary burdens and griefs that do not take a break during December but rather seem to be out of place. It is a service that creates a sacred space to speak and name the dear one lost, the illness we suffered, the painful divorce, or the job loss that is loudly snuffing out any good cheer. As the service progresses and additional blue candles are lit, the light of our Savior, Jesus Christ, brings hope and comfort as we witness His presence with us.

Some people may wonder if this kind of celebration adds to the depressed feeling we are so desperately trying to chase away. My experience is that acknowledging our reality and complicated emotions in a community that understands (even if amongst strangers) allows me to release the pain and tears and perhaps, in a small way, makes room for the cheer I so deeply want to feel.

As Isaiah prophesied in the verses above, the darkness of the world is nothing new, but we have the light of our Savior shining through even into the darkest circumstances. Others feel alone in their grief, and when we light our candles together in acknowledgment of this, our souls feel a little lighter. We experience the love and understanding of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that reminds us you are familiar with our difficult circumstances and desire to minister to us through the Holy Spirit. We ask for comfort and peace that only comes through You, the Light of the World.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Light A Candle” by AVALON. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Light of the World” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joy Beless is a worshipper of God and lover of people. 

A practicing Spiritual Director, she is a speaker for retreats and conferences and facilitates guided solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas.

A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for the houseless and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. Serving at global retreats for Kingdom-minded women delights her soul.

She has written for Global Trellis and Missio Nexus. She connects God’s Word with the reality of our daily in all the ups and downs.

Joy is married to Roger. They live in Coppell (Texas). Joy is called "JoJo" by her nine adorable grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and encourages flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

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Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beless
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.beless/
Website: www.joybeless.org

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ asks you the eternal question

The Eternal Question
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

—Matthew 16:15 (NIV)

Questions come at us all the time. How are you? How’s work? Are you dating anyone? How’s the spouse? What are you cooking for supper tonight?

Those are the generic, everyday questions we always hear. Then there are the seasonal questions: Where do you spend your holidays? Do you have any seasonal traditions? Do you travel during the winter or summer? Where do you like to go?

And there are also those very personal questions that we don’t share with just anyone. Do you love me? Do I love you? Will you marry me? Do I want a ring on my finger? Can I commit to marriage? Do you want to have children? Where do we want to live?

These are important questions that we all must answer sometime in life, and they change the direction of our careers, our spouses, and our families.

But there is another question that holds even greater importance. It changes the trajectory of our lives here on earth, and the rewards or consequences of our answers will be ours for all eternity. This momentous question sounds like a simple one: Who is Jesus Christ to you?

Ah, there it is. Who is Jesus? People have myriads of answers. He was a good man, a good teacher. Some might think He was a prophet, or somebody in the Bible they’ve heard about. In some hearts, Jesus is the one who makes us feel guilty when we hurt other people, or who makes us angry when we meet someone from church wo has an oh-so-righteous-holier-than-thou attitude. His name might be one we’ve only heard when someone is cursing. Some might say that Jesus doesn’t even exist. He’s just a fairy tale within the pages of the Bible.

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve heard all these answers, but my skeptical heart couldn’t really buy any of them. For me, it took years of digging into the Scripture and asking what seemed like thousands of questions before my real question about Jesus was answered.

Jesus is exactly who the Bible says He is. He is the long-awaited Messiah of the nation of Israel. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Prince of Peace. And there’s more! Jesus is the lover of my soul. He lifts my weary head. He forgives my sins. He is the Lord of my life. Jesus is God’s Son, and because I have believed that Jesus died for my sins and I have asked Him to forgive and save me from those sins, I’m also considered a member of the family of God.

There’s even more than all that! When Jesus Christ returns to earth to take His faithful followers home, I will be welcomed into God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom to live forever. My death won’t change anything but my address because the life I am living now is centered on Jesus. And that’s exactly what eternity promises.

There’s nothing in my life that has earned God’s favor. Just the opposite is true. I was sinful and rebellious toward God. Nothing could convince me that He is real and that all His promises are true until He opened my eyes to read the Bible and He gave me the ability to trust Him. His first gift to me was belief in Jesus. His second gift was His forgiveness of every sin. His third and lasting gift is His abundant life in Jesus Christ, right here on earth for now, and then forever in Heaven with Him.

So, each of us is faced with the question, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

Your eternity hinges on your answer. Which will you choose? Eternal salvation in Heaven with the Lord who loves you, or eternal damnation in hell without Jesus? Remember, dear one, eternity is just as real as Jesus is, and what we choose now determines either eternal life or eternal death.

Choose Life, Beloved. Choose Jesus.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I trust You, and I believe that You are the only way to be saved in your Kingdom. Please forgive my sins and accept me into Your family forever. Thank You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Choose Life” by Big Tent Revival. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. Her heart is for her readers. 

She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.

You can reach Karen by emailing her at this address: klmarstaller@gmail.com