To Those Who are Hurting This Christmas—
I want you to know that you are not forgotten or overlooked this Christmas. Though everyone else is singing carols and watching Santa movies and engaging in crazy traditions, your hidden pain is not unseen. And you’re most certainly not alone.
Dear ones, it’s okay if you’re not like everyone else this Christmas. Perhaps this is a time of grieving. Perhaps this holiday doesn’t look anything like you’d hoped it would be. Perhaps you are missing someone, or you are in a season of transition. It’s okay to hurt. It’s okay to cry, or even scream.
That’s why Jesus came — because of sin. And you know what sin causes? Pain.
This is the season of hope and joy, but maybe like me, you are struggling to fight for those things right now. Well . . . if there wasn’t any hurt, there wouldn’t be a need to have hope, and joy would be so constant we wouldn’t notice its existence. It seems “easy” for those without pain to live in hope and joy and peace. But when hurt comes crashing down — smothering us — that’s when hope really counts. That’s when we find out what hope really is, instead of it being just a vague, pretty feeling and idea.
So, dear hurting one, what is hope? Hope is Jesus as a baby. Jesus on the cross. Jesus saving us from all this immense pain! As you hurt this Christmas, remember that Jesus came to save you from it. As you hurt, hold on to the hope of no tears or crying or mourning or pain in Heaven (see Revelations 21).
Let the hurt point you to the Baby.
And remember: it’s okay to hurt. It’s okay! In coming to earth, Jesus entered our pain and hurts. He knows what it’s like to be angry. He knows what it is to mourn and weep. He knows what it is to keep going when your body is exhausted and screaming in pain. He knows what it is to deal with people who just don’t understand.
He gets it.
There’s nothing wrong with you if you ache and hurt. Just throw yourself on the One who knows exactly what you’re going through. The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort will always be there for you (see 2 Corinthians 1).
Sweet one, you are not alone.
Of course, sometimes humans can make you feel alone. Especially around Christmas when it seems like the whole country is overly happy or preoccupied or stressed over small, petty things, making you feel lonely.
There are three things I want you to remember this Christmas:
- It’s okay to take time to mourn and process. It’s okay to hurt.
- However, we should let out pain point us back to the Pain-Healer.
- As we hurt, we also should try our best to be aware of those around us. Romans 12:15 says we should “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” That works both ways. Yes, it’s good and right for them to mourn with us if they so choose. Yet we should also rejoice with those rejoicing. It’s okay to hurt and to feel sorrow and to show sorrow. But we shouldn’t be angry at others for rejoicing in the season, especially if we have yet to tell them we are mourning. It’s a balance. It’s okay to allow others to mourn with us and yet we also should make what effort we can manage to rejoice with them.
I’m praying for you, dear fighter. God’s got you. You’re not alone. Let your hurt point you to Him. God’s grace is sufficient for you. Don’t forget. 🙂
Merry Christmas,
Sara
Thank you for this post, Sara. I really needed it this week. Life is possibly even rougher than ever right now, and I’ve been really struggling with that, especially with Christmas. The recognition and encouragement helps so much, and the reminder of true hope and joy in darkness that is even sweeter for those who suffer. Praying for you in your own hardship! <3
I couldn't help but share this post on Goodreads, by the way, cause I think it would help others as well. Hope that's okay. 🙂
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry! *hugs gently* I’m glad my post helped. Thank you for your prayers, praying for you too, sweet girl!
Of course it’s okay! 🙂
Thank you so much, dear Sara. <3 *hugs back* I read your reply the day you commented, and I needed your care and encouragement so much – it really helped, and made me genuinely cry in a good way!
And thank you for your prayers. After several very rough weeks and months, it's gotten a lot better since last week, since my new treatments finally started helping. Continuing to pray for you too! <3
Aw, I’m glad. <3
Of course! Any time, Mary. I'm glad it's gotten a bit better! Continuing to pray!
<3
This is beautiful, Sarah! Thank you for the sweet encouragement. ♥ Merry Christmas!
*Sara. Sorry for the misspelling. =) Your name is lovely!
Merry Christmas! I’m glad you enjoyed this blog post 🙂 Lol, don’t worry about the misspelling, as simple as my name is most people get it wrong. XD But I don’t mind.
Thank you, thank you for writing this, Sara. This is very much where I’m at, and it’s hard to know how to deal with and communicate it. The third Christmas with chronic illness (the second bed-ridden) and for sure the hardest. But praise God, Hope is here. The God of all Comfort, Emmanuel God with us, is here. We can turn our eyes to Him who understands it all. Thank you for your encouragement and reminders. (P.S. I got your book as a gift and look forward to reading it :))
Aw, I wish you didn’t have to go through this :'( But I’m glad this article encouraged you. Amen! Exactly. 🙂 (That’s so cool! 😀 I hope you like it! It’s my first Christmas as an author, and it’s crazy (but awesome) to think people are receiving my book as gifts XD I’d love to hear what you think of it when you read the book 🙂 )
What a lovely and timely reminder. Thank you Sara.
<3