Over the past week with all the stress and not feeling well, I let it get the best of me. I woke this morning and decided to go to church. The pastor’s daughter preached today due to her father, our pastor, is in the hospital after having surgery again. Second time in three weeks for adhesions attaching themselves to the surgical area causing a great deal of pain for him.

His daughter talked about having confidence in the Lord to trust him to handle all things. When we have self doubt, we doubt who we are. I have been doing a lot of self doubt about myself and decisions I have made concerning several issues including the construction work done around my house and my family and their reactions to Christmas tension. She used the scripture James 1:6-8 NIV,

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Lately, I have felt like I have been blown and tossed around physically, mentally and spiritually. I have not taken care of myself and my health like I am suppose to. I know the Lord is always there for me. I have felt I have let Him down. I need to keep my faith stronger and believe the Lord will always get me through the trails and tribulations I go through.

James 1:12 NIV: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I must learn to persevere through all things I face with God in my life and not let the darkness of evil attack me to doubt myself. To be more positive in my thinking. I will continue to work on this.

My family members are a concern of mine as they do not believe in Christ as I do. I pray for their salvation and clearer understanding of why Christ died for them and the reason for the Christmas season. Tension of over buying of Christmas presents and spending way too much money. Christmas has become a commercial holiday and the store employees are not allowed to wish you a Merry Christmas, only a Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays. It is so sad to see employees struggling not to say Merry Christmas as they have been instructed to do when a shopper wishes them Merry Christmas. They simply reply, You too.

May we all remember the TRUE reason for December 25th! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!