Advice for heavy hearts this holiday season

The air has chilled, leaves have fallen, and Thanksgiving is next week. Then there will be the blur of days until Christmas and the New Year. Hold on to your hat! No matter how much you look forward to this time of year, it screams past in a frenzy of activities.

Unfortunately, the holidays are not filled with light and joy for everyone. For some, it's a difficult time to endure. There are losses of every kind that make putting on a happy face nearly impossible.

There are also folks trying their best to heal from wounds they don't discuss. For some, the holidays can dredge up unwanted memories. I understand. Totally. And, I'm so sorry for your pain. I know that eye-stinging, throat-tightening sensation when you feel the burn of memories and again experience the agony of a very deep, personal wound.

You don't have to struggle without hope—especially if you're a child of the King. A wise friend once said, aren't you glad that He's called Man of Sorrows and not Most Popular? Jesus knows our pain. He's experienced it Himself.

Here are ten truths to cling to when sorrow threatens to take you down:

1. God's got this. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

2. Jesus loves me. But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

3. I am a child of God. And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18

4. His grace is sufficient. My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

5. Not today, satan. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

6. Fear has no grip on me. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

7. Be still and know. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

8. God is good. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (This was/is one of my favorites while I was grieving a past wound.)

9. Worship takes the focus off your wounds. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

10. Joy will return. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5

If you have sorrows to deal with this holiday season, I'm truly sorry. Stand firm, push forward. I'm praying for you.