If the Struggle is Real for You This Christmas

by Lois Flowers

This is not your typical week-before-Christmas blog post, but for me, this hasn’t been a typical Christmas season.

Don’t get me wrong. The last few weeks have definitely had their moments of peace, joy and merriment. But mixed in with all those moments have been periods of anxiety, stress and internal struggle unlike anything I’ve experienced for several years.

I have some ideas about the root causes of all this turmoil, but that’s not why I’m telling you this. I’m sharing this today because I have a sneaky suspicion I’m not the only one. When I say the struggle has been real for me lately, I’m guessing maybe some of you can relate.

And if that’s the case, I want to share with you what I’ve been sharing with myself: the truth about God, and about Christmas.

Straight from the pages of scripture, here it is. God is the faithful and true Witness, the Bright Morning Star, the God of heaven, the Lord of the earth, the King of the nations, the Righteous One. He is our creator, our deliverer, our protector, our rock, our fortress, our shield, our stronghold, our help, our shepherd.

He is “a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” He is “the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas.” And, as we especially remember at Christmastime, He is Immanuel, God with us.

Think about that for a minute. The same God who hung the moon and the stars in the sky became flesh and made His dwelling among us. He’s not some kind of long-distance savior. He could have provided any number of methods for our salvation, but He chose not to rescue us from afar.

As my pastor said recently, He took the initiative. Instead of requiring us to work our way up to Him, which never would have been possible anyway, He came to us.

During this Advent season, we wait in hopeful expectation for the birth of the Savior King. But the good news—the best gift of all—is that we really don’t have to wait.

He is already here.

If we have accepted His gift of grace, He is at home in our hearts. We don’t have to travel anywhere to be with Him this Christmas, He is here with us, right now.

I don’t think there’s any greater source of comfort or strength than that—now or at any other time of the year.

Merry Christmas, friends. I’ll see you again next year.

♥ Lois

The same God who hung the moon and the stars in the sky became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith#TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Chasing Community and Grace & Truth.

Leave a Comment

22 comments

Linda Stoll December 26, 2017 - 9:47 am

You made it, Lois!

I’m with you, this definitely was not a typical season. It was quiet and gentle with little hubbub or commotion.

There were causes to rejoice at prayers answered in ways that left me breathless. But mostly all was calm.

It’s been an unsettling year, hasn’t it. I’m interested to see what God has for us and for our families in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, we wait … and give thanks.

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:38 am

Yes, Linda, unsettling is definitely a good word describe 2017! Waiting and looking forward with you, my friend …

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Lisa notes December 22, 2017 - 2:59 pm

I love this truth, Lois: “We don’t have to travel anywhere to be with Him this Christmas, He is here with us, right now.” Praying you have a peaceful heart this Christmas!

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:36 am

Thank you, Lisa. I hope your holiday season was peaceful too, my friend!

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valerie December 22, 2017 - 10:11 am

Thank you for the uplifting reminder of who Jesus is. I’m dealing with some health issues and waiting to have tests done to find out what’s going on—so this was very comforting to me. Blessings to you, Louis, and Merry Christmas!

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:36 am

I’m glad you found comfort here while you were waiting on test results, Valerie. I read your post about what was going on with your health, and I’m so glad the results weren’t what you feared they might be. Many blessings (including good health) to you in 2018!

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Brenda December 21, 2017 - 12:42 pm

So beautiful, Lois. — I’m sorry it’s been a hard year for you, friend. Praying His peace rests upon you and your family week. His glory is here, among us. Such a gift He gives to us on His own birthday. — Merry CHRISTmas, Lois. xoxo

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:35 am

I love how you put that, Brenda: God’s glory is a gift He gives us on His own birthday. Thank you for your encouragement, my friend! 🙂

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Lesley December 20, 2017 - 12:29 pm

This is such an encouraging reminder of truth. It is comforting to know that at Christmas God drew near and that, whatever we face, he is with us. Praying that you and your family know his peace and comfort this Christmas!

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:34 am

Thanks so much, Lesley. Many blessings to you in this new year! 🙂

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Alice Walters December 20, 2017 - 5:37 am

Dear Lois, how faithful and generous you are! Christmas within you is obvious as you continue to reach out to others through your personal challenges. Have been praying for lucid moments during Christmas for your mom, sweet memories for your girls, strength for your dad, and comfort for you. Finally, praying that blessings and hope will spring in this unexpected place. XOXO

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:33 am

Your prayers encourage me more than you know, Alice, and I’m so thankful to count getting to know you among the blessings of 2017! Hugs to you today!

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Trudy December 19, 2017 - 12:57 pm

It is such a comfort to know He is not a long-distance Savior and He is here, right now, at home in our hearts. Thank you for these encouraging reflections, Lois. I’m so sorry you’re struggling. This year has been so difficult for you. Thank you for sharing. You make many of us feel less alone. I pray God will give you and your family a truly peace-filled Christmas! Hugs!

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:28 am

Good morning, Trudy! As you can see, I’m quite behind on responding to blog comments, but your words encouraged me when I read them a few weeks ago and they are still encouraging me now! Hugs back. 🙂

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Beverly mikki Petersen December 19, 2017 - 9:46 am

Thank you , Lois .. What an uplifting way to start off my morning .. this blog warmed my heart, and encouraged my spirit !! Your word’s , so well chosen, and anointed by the Lord . ❤️

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:27 am

Aw … thank you, Beverly! I’m so glad you stopped by, even though I’ve several weeks behind in responding. 🙂 Blessings to you in this new year!

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Meghan Weyerbacher December 19, 2017 - 7:31 am

Lois I clicked over because the title drew me in. Prayers for your family. (hugs)

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:26 am

Thanks much, Meghan! 🙂

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Michele Morin December 19, 2017 - 7:19 am

I just received an awesome Christmas card yesterday with the message that all other religions are based on the word “DO,” while Christ ushered in a faith that is based on the word “DONE.” (Of course the card said it more artfully, but you get the idea.)
I want to keep that truth close to me in the coming days as we celebrate all that Jesus DID. The hope and joy that have brought us through the challenges of 2017 cost Him, and God delivered Him up for us so that we could rest in confidence that He will also freely give “all things” to us, in His wisdom.
Blessings to you, Lois, and Merry Christmas amidst all the challenges.

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:26 am

These are wonderful insights, Michele. Your words are prompting me to think this morning about love, and how the recipients of love that costs much often fail to realize it at the time (myself included). I don’t want to be an ungrateful recipient of love this new year, that’s for sure!

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Nicole Kauffman December 19, 2017 - 6:35 am

Such great encouragement for this Christmas! Thank you 🙂

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Lois Flowers January 10, 2018 - 8:19 am

You’re welcome, Nicole. I hope your new year is off to a good start!

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