There is a Christmas card that reads “May all the joys that make this season so warm and special, fill your home and fill your heart and remain all year with you.” A heart filled with joy is at the top of everyone’s wish list. So, on New Year’s Day all God’s people will make new promises that they hope will better their lives and “fill their hearts with joy.”
However, things don’t always work out the way that we wish they would, and you can be drained of your hopes and joy in the new year. Even when you are living right and doing all the right things, life can still be draining. We have all received mail addressed simply to the “occupant.” Sometimes you are drained not because you did anything wrong, but because you happen to occupy the planet.
The combination of the world, the flesh, and the evil will suck the spiritual vitality right out of you if you let it. You pray, but no words come to you. You know you ought to not worry so much about things that may or may not occur. When this happens, be reminded of the words by psalmist David who proclaimed this of God: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” The word green means fresh. Each day you need a fresh encounter with God through prayer. Each day you need a fresh encounter with God through a fresh intake of his word. Bread is not the only thing that can go stale, our spiritual life can, too.
Psalmist David also proclaimed this about God: “He leads me beside the still waters.” The word still means you need times of quietness and reflection. “Be still and know that I am God” encourages us to know God intimately and to draw only upon our strong faith and believe.
So, whenever you fill that you are just going through the spiritual motion of life, and yet in your soul, you are running on empty because of worry and burdens, remember that God is your helper and that he will see you through when you are spiritually drained.
So, may all the happiness that makes this season warm and special remain all year with you and your family. “Tis the season,” So Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
