Holiday Horrors

Holiday Horrors

The Christmas season can be one of the most stressful, sad times of the year for people. I'm not referring to the stress from having too many activities or too many presents to buy with so little time, not to mention so little money. What I am referring to is the stress of dealing with the extended family. Many of us may be Christians, but have family that doesn't share our precious beliefs. That can lead to feeling like we've been thrown into the lion's den when the rude, hurtful comments start flying our way.

Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He was accused of blasphemy (Mt. 9:3), being possessed (Mt. 9:34, 12:24), and even ridiculed for healing on the Sabbath (Mt. 12:1-2). He was even persecuted by His own family (Mt. 26:6-9; Mk 3:20-21; Jn. 7:4-5) In spite of that, Jesus tells us that blessed are those who are persecuted, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He cautions us to remember that if they hate us, they hated Him first. If we belonged to this world, it would love us as its own, but we don't belong to the world. Instead, Christ has chosen us out of the world, and that is why the world hates us. Just as they persecuted our Master, they will persecute us. After all, no servant is greater than his master. II Tim. 3:12 tells us that all who choose to live godly lives will suffer persecution. Why? Because the natural man can't understand the things of the Spirit.

I Cor. 2:14

Peter admonishes us not to be surprised at the trials we will face, but rather, rejoice that we are counted worthy to participate in the sufferings of Christ. When we face persecution, we are blessed and we have the Spirit and glory of God resting upon us. I Pet. 4:12-14

Sometimes we may feel overwhelmed and deeply hurt by the things spoken to us by our own family. In those times, we need to remember David. He had to flee from his own murderous son, Absalom. II Sam. 15. In Ps. 3:1, we see that David admits that he has many foes, but in verse 3, he says that God is his glory and the lifter of his head. He could even lie down at night and sleep peacefully because he knew God would sustain him. (verse 5)

As we look at Ps. 5:8, David prays to be led in righteousness because of his enemies. Sometimes we may find that the enemy are those in our own family. Verse 9 talks about how their throats are open graves and their words are deceitful. In verse 10, David prays for their own plots to be their downfall. In verse 10, he asks for God's protection, then he declares in the next verse that surely God blesses the righteous, surrounding them with His favor as with a shield. God's favor can surround you too, dear sister.

Even in the midst of the many trials and persecutions which David faced, in Ps. 18:2, he boldly declares that God is his Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, his Refuge, Stronghold, and the Horn of his Salvation.

So, this Christmas, if you begin to dread what may come your way, be encouraged! God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, is also YOUR Rock, Refuge, Fortress, Deliverer, Stronghold, and the Horn of YOUR Salvation! In the morning when you rise, lay your burdens before the Lord, then wait in expectation, as David did, to see what God will do on your behalf. Ps. 5:3

Proverbs 31