There is a proverb that tells us that a hope deferred makes the heart grow sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. This past COVID year had deferred many of our hopes. We got discouraged and began to build walls of self-protection because we couldn’t face more disappointments. Seeing HOPE is a CHOICE, and I write to tell you that there is still sweetness to be found. Hope is a desire with expectation of fulfillment. It takes COURAGE to hope.
Behind most anger is fear, frustration, hurt, isolation, depression, guilt, shame, stress, jealousy, rejection, loneliness, helplessness, injustice. In our families, we end up yelling at the people we love most because anger and anxiety are intertwined.
The fear of what might happen creates an inner turmoil over things that we cannot control. We can trade our anxiety for peace – peace because He cares and peace because He is in control.
This year, Christmas is going to look a little different. Many of the holiday traditions that involved going somewhere are going to have to be changed up, put on hold, or reimagined. These changes are disappointing, but we can still be intentional in finding JOY this season.
