“What’s up with me?”
“What’s my deal?”
“Why can’t I get my junk together?”
“I feel like I’m just going through the motions all the time.”
“I just don’t feel happy.”
I hear comments like this quite often actually. In fact, I’ve said these things myself on occasion. For some, these attitudes come and go. For others, life has simply become a burden. All of the joys they should be experiencing and all of the blessings they are given are masked by the doldrums of life. It’s a tragedy and even more so for the one who claims to know Christ.
This tragedy is often magnified during the Christmas season. At a time that’s meant to be filled with wonder and celebration, many struggle against hopelessness and despair. Attempts are made to counteract these deep feelings: I’ll buy this new thing. I’ll drown myself in decorating and events. I’ll just keep moving. You know what I’m talking about.
All our efforts end with the same outcome – emptiness.
What’s the remedy?
For the believer it’s two things: “being rooted down deep and built up.”
I came across a verse this past week that has encouraged me and given me perspective and ammunition against the onslaught of consumerism and futile thinking and behavior.
Colossians 2:6-7 says, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (emphasis mine)
- Continue to follow Him.
- Let your roots grow deep down into Him.
- Build your life on Him.
Have you closed the doors of your heart to Christ and His work in you?
Have you neglected time talking with Him or reading the truth from His Word?
Have you been really good at “lip-service” but refused to follow Him in your day-to-day life and decisions?
Have you despaired to the point of questioning Him and His power?
Have you wondered if you really believe it all?
While reading commentary on the passage I came across a statement that stung a little.
“One of the first indicators of departure from God is the lack of thanksgiving.” *
Are you thankful?
Are you walking away from your joy, your peace? From Truth? Pursuing your own plans or solutions?
Have you just stopped following?
How can you turn away from Christ’s power and work in your life claiming you can’t see it when you haven’t even let Him in?
Don’t be deceived. Don’t allow the lies from the enemy to keep you from building yourself up in the truth. Start right now by confessing your need to God. Ask Christ to build you up in truth. Seek truth from His Word and continue following Him. Remove whatever has been on the throne of your life and give Christ that place instead. Invite Him into the moments of your days. Call out to Him when you struggle with doubt or confusion. Then your faith will grow strong. Growing is a process. Grow in Him. Ask Him to give you faith. You will begin to see the despair melt away. You will begin to begin to see His light breaking through. You will begin to see the lies around you for what they are and…
You will respond in thanksgiving.
When I find myself feeling down or out of sorts, I consider my need to reflect on what is true. I understand the importance of remembering that I am rooted in Christ. I repent from my attitudes and confess my need for a heart change. I seek to be built up in truth – spending time reading God’s Word and talking to Him. In doing so, I find my joy during the Christmas season and all throughout the year.
I encourage you to take some time today to consider what place you’ve given in your heart and life to the Savior. Maybe it’s time to do some rearranging. Celebrate the King that He is by making Him King in your life. Let this Christmas be filled with thanksgiving and joy. And say goodbye to the doldrums.
And one final word. Maybe you don’t know Christ as Savior, Lord and King. If you’d like to know how, click on this link:
How to Accept Christ’s Gift of Salvation
Give Christ first place in your life this Christmas and always.
*Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 248). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
