So, the holiday season is approaching rapidly. I know that you have your expectations for this year. You are concerned about who can and cannot make it to the festivities. You are sorrowful about the loved ones who have passed away and will not be here to celebrate. You are stressing over the lack of income and the groceries you need to purchase or the gifts you need to buy. Some of you are worried that you will even make it to Thanksgiving or to Christmas. In fact, you are so use to worrying and fretting that you think it’s okay.
You think it’s okay to worry about your children while they are at school. You think it’s okay to fret over when your spouse will make it home from work. You’ve allowed yourself to be comforted by your ever present anxiety.
Well, you've lived this way for far too long.
Worrying about the present or the future of your loved ones is not a demonstration of love. Actually, it is the exaltation of your fear. You were never created to claim fear or allow it to have dominion over you. You were created to crush fear. To obliterate worry and anxiety. You were created to enjoy God’s peace. A peace that really…truly…passes understanding.
Today, ask God for the liberty that He died to offer you. Ask God for His peace. Surrender your loved ones to Him. Surrender your expectations to Him. Surrender your holiday season to Him. Ask God to make this holiday season what He wants it to be. I always say this to you: what God wants for you is better than what you want for yourself!
Fear is not love, sweetheart.
It’s captivity.
Be free!
Love,
CompassionateLee
Luke 24:36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.