These past few weeks have been quite exhausting dragging out decorations from all sorts of places that I never thought they would be. Putting up festive lights, creating fun budget friendly displays, sprucing up the house and scheduling in all the things we want to see or do this Christmas season were added to the daily list of "musts" that already packed our days. You would think I would know better and not fall into the same old trap year after year.No matter how organized I am or much I want to cut back, it seems other things creep into the "main event" leaving little time for the spiritual life I want to live or reflect. Do you find that to be true in your world as well?
I am well aware of how getting ready for the holidays can cause a person's temper to ignite from all the activities, and no one wants to be around when that happens. There is a good remedy for preventing seasonal stress, overload or burn-out, and that is keeping a flame burning bright for the Savior ... the real reason for the Christmas celebration.
Our Heavenly Father is ready to put His favor on us so that we don't end up "burning the holiday candle" on both ends so to speak, but we have to put our focus back on God and others before He can.
Whatever plans we make, the Light of God needs to be burning so bright from us, that our testimony does not get ripped apart with all the gift wrapping when things get a little out of control! That will take Holy Spirit focused living and God's Daily Favor in order to be achieved!
Lesson Learned
Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson on real seasonal 'burn-out", when God turned a bad decision to shop on a holiday into something quite wonderful. He also knew that the information I gained from my brief encounter with "Scott" would serve me well when a situation I was confronted with in 2021 became a reality in my own neighborhood.
Thankfully, the "least of these" lesson recorded in Matthew 25:40 was engrafted into my heart. Being led by the Holy Spirit, I responded without hesitation and did not miss what I had in the past.
This holiday season prayerfully seek the Lord as to what you can do for others in your community as well as your loved ones. Read more about my encounter with Scott and what you can do to reflect the Season of Light, which is Christmas, in my teaching "Start A Soul Fire."
"... and the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you did it unto Me." (from Matthew 25: 31-44 NLT) Read what the people did that caused them to be blessed (shown favor) by God.
Until next time, favor giving to those in need.
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior. Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
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Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway. Image Creative Common License if not specified. Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, Servanthood, Light of God, Giving, Neighborhood and Community Giving, Christian Living, Testimony, Christmas Stress, Christmas Overload, Focus
