Deaths of loved ones, fractured relationships, perceived personal failures, unfulfilled longings, and countless other challenges have many feeling terribly alone this Thanksgiving. For some the isolation will be compounded by physical solitude, and for others it will be compounded by being seated in a crowd of people.
If sadness fills your heart at the thought of Thanksgiving and the remainder of the holiday season, you are not alone. Many have journeyed similar painful and lonely paths before us, some journey alongside us, and many will follow. We who journey similar paths can understand one another at least in part.
But there is One who understands every aspect of what you are going through today. Scripture says of Jesus Christ, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…” Jesus willingly experienced the suffering and grief associated with His humanity. (Isa 53:3)
But scripture goes on to say “surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Jesus Christ, God in flesh, intimately understands and willingly bore the weight of each of our individual griefs and sorrows. (Isa 53:4)
He intimately knows every aspect of your personal struggles and He bore the full weight of your every sin, every sorrow and every grief on Calvary. He suffered alone so we would never have to suffer alone.
He is calling to you today, ”Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30)
He understands how weary and broken you are. He has already borne the weight of your sin, your sorrow and your grief, and He compassionately longs to carry you. Run to Him today, He is ready and waiting.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 [NASB95]
If you are in the North Alabama area you can connect with others sharing similar struggles through MZBC Hope Ministry. Hope Ministry helps hurting people find encouragement and Hope by connecting them with others who have journeyed similar paths. They do this through a variety of support groups for specific life challenges. I have been and continue to be tremendously blessed through the support group Scott and I are part of. I hope you will consider trying any or all of the groups relevant to your life circumstances.
Additionally, I hope you will consider joining me for “A Night of Hope For Hurting Hearts” on December 6th at 7PM. It is a holiday worship service specifically for hurting people. It will be a time of acknowledging through song and word the reality of suffering and sorrow while reminding ourselves of the unshakable Hope available to us through Jesus Christ. I would love to see you there.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 [NASB95]
Listening to Him 