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If you’re one of those people that’s hurting, turning to the Lord is the only place to find comfort. If you don’t know what that looks like, talk to a Christian friend or a pastor that can help you find the way. The most important thing is not to keep it bottled up inside, or to turn to things of the world that might help dull the pain temporarily, but really only hurt worse in the end. Hiding from your hurt won’t help it heal. God gives you hope when nothing else will. If you haven’t been facing any hardships, moving into the new year, I would encourage you to seek out those that are having a rough time. For someone that’s struggling, the smallest kind gesture in someone else’s day can make all the difference in the world. Hebrews 3:13 teaches us “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Fortunately, I made it through my childhood with no broken bones, and I’m thankful I was taught to stay strong as a kid, but there are times in life that it’s okay to be weak. True strength can sometimes mean being strong enough to admit you’re weak. The children’s song “Jesus Loves Me” sums it up well, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.” We are all His children and His strength will carry us through anything. •
When I was growing up, I was constantly told to toughen up. I might’ve been pushing a big calf down the chute, riding a green broke horse, or halter breaking a yearling bull, but in all cases, being weak wasn’t an option. I had to stay strong. As we wrap up Christmas and bring on the new year, the list of people I know that have recently lost a loved one is long. The list of people I care about that have recently been diagnosed with cancer is also long. For these people, my heart aches that Christmas time makes their circumstances even tougher than normal. Christmas has a way of magnifying whatever the situation is that we have going on in our lives. It’s ok to hurt and it’s ok to grieve. Even though our society tells us we should be joyful, December can be the longest month of the year. The world tells us to be strong but being weak and leaning on the Lord is ok. Psalms 34:17-22 reads: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Leaning on the Lord.
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BY: JENNIFERBRUNS, TX
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