Merry Christmas!

Easy?

Today's thoughts are coming from a heavy heart.

Despite the many blessings in my own life, there are quite a few people around me who are suffering and struggling with some difficult things.

Some are grieving,

Some are anxious, 

Some are awaiting death... some with hope, and some without.

Some are confused,

Some are lonely.

Some are in pain,

And some are in need... deep need.

It would be so easy to go on with my own life, thinking and believing that my circumstances are more important then the rest of the world.  But that's far from how God intended and created me to be.  God created us to live in community.  God delights when His creation thrive and grow, loving and challenging one another.  And that is why our innate desire is to always see another person growing and doing well.  

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!  Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you."  

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So, what do I hang on to?  I hang on to the TRUTH of God's Word, which speaks directly to situations like these.  I KNOW that God is near to those who cry out for His help.  So I KNOW He will be near those who are grieving, in pain, dying, crying, anxious and in need.  After all, 

I KNOW that I KNOW that God is in control!

You know what else?  

God finds IT easy...  He can take care of every need we have, comfort, do a miracle, relieve pain and restore the brokenhearted.  And He finds it easy.  How do I know that?  Pick up your Bible and read the story in 2 Kings, chapter 3.  It is an amazing story of how God provided.  And not just in the way that we would have imagined.  He came through in a way that was above and beyond what a human eye could see or a human mind could comprehend.  He took care of the details and made His faithful ones victorious.  

"This is an EASY THING 

in the eyes of the LORD."  

2 Kings 3:18 

So, if you're hurting, anxious, or in deep need of hope, remember those words.  On the other hand, if you know someone who's hurting and is in need of encouragement, do your part and point them to the true source of hope.  

Will you join me in spreading this TRUTH?