I love Christmas music. My family listens to it from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Day every holiday season. One of my favorites is the Andy Williams classic, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."
For many people, it is the most wonderful time of the year, but for those caught in a stormy season of life, it may feel like the most dreadful time of the year. While there may be various reasons behind this, the common thread is an overwhelming sense of loneliness and despair.
The holiday season by nature highlights relationships and most certainly shines a spotlight on the loss of them. Relationships matter. They are a vital part of living a joy-filled life. Whether you have been deeply wounded by someone close to you or suffered the loss of a loved one, it pierces your heart to the depths of your soul. It is not easy to shake off deep-rooted feelings of loneliness and despair when they seem to overtake you like insidious weeds in a garden.
The holidays seem to magnify the amplitude of negative thoughts that come so easily when your heart is broken. It is so tempting to shut out those around you to self-protect from further pain. It is also tempting to shut out God because He allowed it to happen.
My friend, I have done both at different times in my life. Neither one of these actions will bring healing, in fact, it turns out quite the opposite! While thoughts of self-protection are alluring, they are a trap lying in wait to ensnare you like a prisoner and chain you to the very thing you seek to escape.
The truth is, we are designed with a deep need for relationships. We need the help of those around us to overcome the daunting mountains we all face on our journey through life.
Just as hiking over a mountain alone is not a wise choice, navigating difficult terrain in life isn't either. Inevitably there are narrow passes along treacherous cliffs that must be traversed to reach the summit. It is along these dangerous paths that a fellow hiker, especially one that is experienced, is essential to cross safely.
As for shutting out God because He allowed it to happen, newsflash my friend, there is a reason he gives us an abundance of guidance on how to handle difficulties in life. He does not beat around the bush, in fact, he is very clear that difficulty will come. The question is, what will you do when it does come?
Will you choose to let him guide your steps along the treacherous mountain path like a trusted friend who is an experienced mountain climber, or will you choose to go it alone?
The next time a mountain looms in front of you, remember TOM (Together Overcoming Mountains) and that Together with God and those he has placed around us, we can Overcome even the most daunting Mountains.
May your holiday season be "the most wonderful time of year" once again!
Blessings to you dear friend!
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Photo: Word Swag, Pixabay
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