Once again, it’s December. Once again, I don’t feel ready for what’s coming. I suppose I can’t say that I haven’t been warned, as Christmas comes at the end of every year, and the shops have been advertising for months.
It’s a busy time of year. Here in Australia, it’s hot! There’s too much to do, and it just seems too hot to do it. Plus, many have had storms causing loss of power. So, how can anyone do anything when they are sitting in a dark place, without air conditioning, or even without a fridge to keep the food fresh.
Yes, December can be a difficult time of year.
A difficult time of year
Perhaps you are facing the annual question of where to go for Christmas this year? You are expected to see so many people, but there just isn’t time to see everyone, or do everything. It’s all so stressful, that you just feel cranky and upset.
You remember how in previous years, you were saddled with all the work, and then all the clean-up. You stressed about gifts for everyone, and then hardly received a thank you, let alone a gift in return. Or worse, someone made an unwelcome comment about the gifts you had given. Hmph! Don’t they know all the time you took choosing presents? Don’t they remember all the gifts over the years?
It makes you feel like giving up. Let someone else do the work for a change!
Perhaps you were hoping to re-unite with family and friends that you haven’t seen for a while, but that can’t happen. Perhaps they have chosen not to visit you this year, making you feel rejected and hurt. Perhaps you have loved ones who have died, so, you are feeling lonely and sad.
Sometimes it seems as if no one really cares. Everyone just wants to talk about their own troubles, as I wrote in Does Anybody Really Care?
Yes, this can be a dark time of year. Perhaps it’s so dark, that you just wish you didn’t have to be here. Perhaps you just want to give up.
Well, I’m here to say – don’t give up, God is still working.
Click on the link to hear this beautiful song:
Don’t Give Up – God is still working
Don’t give up – God is still working
by Worship Wave
When your heart is breaking in the silence
And the weight is more than you can bear
When the answers feel a million miles away
Know your Saviour’s already there
Every tear he holds it close
Every fear he fully knows
Don’t give up
He’s fighting for you
He’s not done
He will see you through
In the waiting, in the pain
He’s the calm within the rain
Lift your eyes, hold to his love
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
When the dreams you had
Are lying shattered
And your faith feels fragile like the wind
Let his promises rebuild what’s broken
He’s the God who starts again.
Every step he walks beside
Even now he’s on your side
Don’t give up
He’s fighting for you
He’s not done
He will see you through
In the waiting
In the pain
He’s the calm within the rain
Lift your eyes
Hold to his love
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
He’s your refuge
He’s your fire
He’s the strength when you’re too tired
Let his mercy be your song
You are weak but He is strong
Oh, don’t give up
Grace is your anchor
You are held by something greater
Chains will break
Dawn will rise
Joy will come with morning’s light
You are seen, deeply loved
Don’t give up
Child of God
You are seen, deeply loved
Don’t give up
Child of God