Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
12 20 2024
Christmas, The Worst of Times & The Best of Times.
I know that many love Christmas, family, and the entire season, but many are burdened with some real challenges, financially, emotionally, and even in some relationships. We try to take the high road but sometimes slip when we open our mouths, and our pride or anger gets the best of us. Paul said it best; “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. – James 1:12
Most of us grew up with some wonderful memories of the holidays. Family, togetherness, presents, and too much food. But Joy is always on the chopping block because the pressures of the rest of the year seem to come down to “The Holidays”. Can I scale back a little and enjoy my family? Do I have the extra cash to handle the pressure of the overwhelming expectations, not just financially but of family dynamics? My son and his wife flew from Florida to New Mexico to attend the funeral of his 99-year-old grandmother this week. There was more financial outlay, even though there was no hesitation to book a flight. The normal cost of gifts, travel, and holiday meals do cause financial stress
that easily can take away the joy of the season.
Unresolved Family conflicts: Most families have some, but they are amplified, especially when the family group gets larger, and misunderstandings easily happen.
The memories of lost loved ones: It will take time to fill the spot of a close family member. These are often times of the magnification of their absence, and it can be hard to revel in the joy that is supposed to be.
Comparison to the Jones: Social media often shows the extreme highs of families, but we don’t see the rest. But they typically can lead to comparison and feelings of personal inadequacy, and they often eclipse our holiday spirit.
Tired and Overwhelmed: Who isn’t? I don’t need to list the long tabloid of things to do for everyone else and the joy seems to have never made it into our hearts. Our very souls seem to be groaning under the weight of too much to do and not enough time and/or money.
Lack of Focus on the True Meaning of the Season: How easy is it, even throughout the year to keep our focus on heavenly thoughts and Godly perspectives? But it seems more people are looking at us because they now expect more from us because this is the Season of Joy and Giving. The expression of Joy goes much further than the appearance of merriment. Its roots run deep to the faith we believe in. We may be struggling with our expression and trust in God. When we seem to be out of gas, and our hope is running low, how hard is it to remember that “the Joy of the Lord is my Strength!?”
This time of year is notoriously the Best of Times and the Worst of Times, but how do we protect them, treasure them, and truly experience the Joy of Christmas? Let’s turn this discussion around and look at it from a heavenly perspective. We cannot do this without returning to our roots. God’s word.
Luke tells us in Chapter 2:10: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people”.
Can we stop for a minute and refocus on, “The Reason for the Season?”. This season is about the Lord Jesus, how did it become about everything but? Yes, we are too easily a willing culprit in this theft. So, we need to Reset, Refocus, and Repent! The world has done it again. Satan has distracted us again to the point we are about to lose it. The angel said above, Feat Not… Don’t be afraid to be the lone voice proclaiming that Christ’s Birth is the Gift, and let’s begin to shout the truth of that! (maybe we should begin by shouting it at ourselves in the mirror!)
Behold…I bring you Good Tiding of GREAT JOY. Look who is delivering the message…This is much bigger than the President coming to your house bearing gifts. This is God Almighty! At what part of your year or your month did you lose that perspective? And if you have lost it, how can you be the catalyst and bearer of Joy to all those around you?
Not the parties, the programs, or even the drive to give to others in need. It is solely about Jesus and the Joy of His coming! Aren’t we the accomplice to THE THIEF WHO stole the joy? How many years have we been here…experienced this? How many times have we already seen, this sign,
Jesus, the Reason for the Season? And it doesn’t even faze us.
- “Which shall be for ALL People”: He is the Redeemer, the soon and coming King! Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Yes, Me, Myself, and I…have lost the Eye of the Beholder. I’ve lost God, the Holy Spirit’s perspective inside of me. “Beauty” is in the eye of the beholder, and those who have lost the Joy of the Lord during Advent have lost the Beauty of their Season. They have lost Jesus to all the excuses and real-life events happening to them!
There are many ways, as a project manager, that we can better organize the season that has happened every year of our life.
- Do a manageable amount of Christmas decorations and set some boundaries.
- Schedule a manageable number of events during December and take control of your family’s time. And learn to say no until after New Year’s.
- Plan your holiday meals ahead and incorporate the team to help.
- Budget the Holidays. Set an amount in Oct and Nov so you can do your Black Fridays and budget accordingly. We should be laying a small amount monthly during the year to prepare for the season so we can keep our focus on the real reason for it.
Advent is a time of Surrendering our hearts and leading our family to do the same. Not just on Christmas Eve or in Church! We are all called to be the priests of our homes. A Holy Nation. And what does Jesus give in return?
Philippians 4:7, says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. So what is peace to you? The absence of conflict, or disagreements, jealousy, anger, unforgiveness? The verse is crystal clear, but too many totally overlook it.
Peace is God Himself. Jesus is the one who guards our minds and hearts. Peace has come to look over us, after us, and keep watch over us … to protect us.
Oh, but they say I have tried so hard to guard my heart and the peace of my life. No, No, No.
Peace is Not Self Generated.
It is the clear result, in the most amplified of meanings… It is anchored in the Unchanging Nature of Jesus Christ. It is simply a restful state that comes from our trust and surrender to Jesus Himself! You must know by now that is it not dependent on everything going our way. When does that ever happen?
It is a peace that comes from Making Time to Read His Word. Making Time for Prayer and Appreciation. A trust in God’s sovereignty in the middle of hard times, unrelenting times, when we fall to our knees and choose to believe that He will prepare a table for us in the midst of our enemies and trials and tribulations Ps 23. “AND the peace of God, which passes all understanding, SHALL keep our hearts and minds… through Christ Jesus”. The Reason for the Season. The Bible reminds us of God’s greatest gift to us—Jesus…The Prince of Peace!
Let me encourage you to lay down your burdens and cares to Jesus. Don’t let anything steal your joy. Stay humble and pray by His Holy Spirit to take the high road in all that you do. Blessings
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