When It’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Hope for the Hurting

I heard on a Christian radio station the idea that this time of year might not be the most wonderful time of the year for some. Though I am not experiencing a close loss, I am hurting with those that are. The brokenness of the world can sometimes become overwhelming. I often find myself sitting in the silence of my car or the house after everyone else has gone to bed, and I feel numb. Sometimes I feel like I have a front-row seat to the world’s worst stuff, and I’d really like to get up and switch spots. One of my students shared that their special Christmas elf didn’t come this year; I know it’s because she is between homes as her parents are finalizing a divorce. A couple of my kids wear the same raggedy clothes day after day, without a coat. A boy’s precious life is taken on his 18^th birthday. People flee their home countries because of war. Many people are not experiencing the most wonderful time of the year.

What do we do with all of this hurt and pain? How do we keep going? 

• Find the light of the Son

Sunflowers have always been one of my very favorite flowers. When I was younger, I loved them because they were yellow – my favorite color. As I got older, I grew to love them for a deeper reason. Sunflowers got their name because they always grow to face the sunshine. They must lift their “faces” to the sun in order to keep growing. We, too, must lift our faces to the light, the light of the Son of God, in order to keep going. We can do this by plastering scriptures everywhere we turn; on our mirror, by our bed, on our phone wallpaper, in our car, scribbled on our hands. Keep Him close and stay focused on Him. Speaking of Jesus, Matthew quotes Isaiah in Matthew 4:16, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (NIV). Jesus is our light, though we live in the land of the shadow of death. He will comfort those that seek Him.

• Choose gratitude

In my podcast episode with Christy Dunagan last week, we discussed gratitude and the importance of choosing thankfulness. When we choose to shift our mindset from the things we don’t have onto the things we do have, or from the bad situations we are in to the good things happening in our lives, we can weather any storm and come out stronger. One of my favorite authors is Katie Davis Majors. In her book “Daring to Hope,” she writes that during an incredibly difficult time in her life, she began writing things she was thankful for on sticky notes and lining her kitchen with them. Though it looked tacky, it became a visual reminder of what the Lord was doing in her life. We know the Lord is blessing us overwhelmingly, but sometimes we just have to see it. You may choose the sticky note approach, or maybe you keep a running list of things you are thankful for. It’s amazing how quickly these things add up, and how this habit shifts our mindset. 

• Don’t lose sight of the goal

In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. That was the only way He was able to endure the horrible death He experienced. When we look around and all we see is suffering, evil, and pain, it can be so hard to remember what it’s all for. When we enter into that suffering daily by serving those around us, it’s even more challenging. But keeping our eyes focused on the joy that lies ahead of us—our home in heaven with our Maker—we can endure anything we face in this world. One of the most practical things I do to keep my mind focused on heaven is to listen to hymns and songs about heaven. Even those old hymns we used to sing in old church buildings with frayed red hymnals, like “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” and “I’ll Fly Away” have such encouraging sentiments. Make a playlist on Spotify, Apple, or however you listen to music, of songs that fix your mind on heaven. I promise this will encourage you to make it one more day. And each day is one day closer to being reunited with those you love, and more importantly, to embracing our Jesus that died for us and the Father who made us.

If this holiday season is neither merry or bright for you, I truly am sorry. I am sorry for the pain you are experiencing, no matter how small you might think it is. I am hurting with you. But I pray that these words have encouraged you in some small way. These words and praying to God and reading His Word may not change your circumstances, but they can change your heart and give you strength to keep going. 

“Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:12, ESV

With love,

Sarah