"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
Phil. 4:4-8 Happy December, my friends! After watching most of my family members go home to Heaven and my daughter walk away from Jesus, for many years now I’ve battled my deepest levels of grief during the holidays. If it were up to me, I would go to sleep the day before Thanksgiving and wake up January 26, just after many family death anniversaries.
But that’s not reality, so what is the best way to cope? Years ago I discovered that intentionality is the key, and, though it has never gotten easier to practice it, every year that I do, I grow a tiny bit more able to do it the next time.
Acceptance of your reality. Refusal to wallow. Intentional peace. Defiant joy. Deliberate focus on beauty. Intentional time in deep Bible study. Deliberately intimate prayer time. Proactively scheduled time w/friends.
These things are key to surviving and thriving through the holidays when grief is your constant companion.
Don’t let grief define and defeat you. Choose Jesus and choose intentional life in the light.
Blessings as you walk with Jesus.
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