This tends to be a season where we count our blessings, but if we are in the midst of a hardship, the hardship can seem to be much harder. But today I pray that through the midst of anything you are going through, your blessings will stand out the most.
The enemy loves to cover the everyday blessings of life with the everyday hardships of life. And depending on what you are going through, being able to look around, over, or through those hard times to still see your blessings can be a challenge. That is why it's important to start each day by thanking God. I like to thank Him for the things I can see, and thank Him for the things He is doing that I can't see. This is my way of telling the enemy, "I don't need to see God's blessings to know they are there. I know you want me to see my circumstances, but I choose to see God's blessings". And that really is what it comes down to, what we choose to see. I have been through seasons where that choice was easy, and I have been through seasons where it was hard. In both seasons I lean on God for the strength to make the right choice.
Please understand that I am by no means downplaying the hard things we go through in life sometimes....but at the same time, I also will not downplay God's ability to get us through them. I have faced the death of a loved one, the sting of divorce, the hurt of strife in a family...these are very serious things, and I can tell you that without God I would not have overcome them. That is not a canned message that I just tell people. I truly and honestly mean that without God these things would have given me enough reason to just quit. But I hold on the the promises I read in God's word and I have felt His very presence in my time of need. He is there all the time, but when you call out to Him He is there to hold you and help you through. I have prayed with the manliest of men and watched them crumble in tears as they felt God's presence come over them. It is real, it is powerful and it is one of the warmest feelings of love you will ever experience. But most of all it delivers a peace that truly surpasses ALL understanding (Philippians 4:7).
As you come through this Christmas season I encourage you to welcome His presence. Whether this is one of the most joyful times of the year for you, or due to life's circumstances it is one of the hardest times of the year for you, His presence can make a difference. It is my heart's desire for anyone and everyone to experience God on a deeper, more personal and more spiritual level. Because when you do, not only will it change you, but it will change how clearly you can see all of His blessings around you. And this something you will want to share with others too!
God, thank You that You are always near. Today I pray for those who struggle during this time of the year. I pray that You will show up in their life in such a powerful way that nothing the enemy is trying to do to bring them down will work. I pray for relationships with you to go to a new and deeper level, and I pray for breakthrough in people's lives. I pray for restoration on every level, and testimonies to be built out of it. In Jesus name, Amen.
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