Get THIS down and Christmas will be perfect

I've lived for a long time. So have you. Christmas hasn't always been jolly, has it?But it started that way.I mean, who plans to get pregnant without a father and explains it with an impossible story?Who suddenly finds out that his betrothed is pregnant by someone else AND his reputation is on the line?Who has to tell their neighbors and friends that their daughter is expecting a baby out-of-wedlock and is possibly crazy?Who plans for family conflict, bad news from the doctor, financial stress, problems at work, relationship issues, sudden life changes, horrible accidents, drug overdoses, or other life happenings at Christmas...(or at any other time)?Mary, Joseph, and their families certainly didn't.

Here are some of the soul struggles they went through

(And, by the way, so do you when you encounter an unpleasant or horrible situation.)

• You aren't joyful, peaceful, or hopeful inside.

• You can't control the situation, or maybe others are making your decisions for you.

• You feel helpless or useless amid the mess.

• You hate the conflict and lack of solutions.

• What if you make a wrong decision or do something wrong?

• You fear to lose those you love, either physically or emotionally.

• You find the physical or emotional pain connected with the situation to be overwhelming.

• The "what if's" keep you up at night—there are so many unknowns.

BUT the promise of Christmas, brought to us, infused in us is the Prince of Peace.He holds us close, right in the middle of the grief, fear, anger, rejection, sadness, disappointment, loneliness, confusion, or crazy thinking ... the One who IS love, joy, peace, and hope.How can so much be mingled within our soul?I don't know, but His presence is bigger than all the other noises going on in there.

The key is to focus on THAT presence

Last Sunday, our pastor noted that when Mary was going through her nine-month pregnancy, she always walked in the presence of the Prince of Peace.After all, He was right inside of her, front and center. VERY big as she got closer to delivery.And it's the same with you. The more you focus on Christ in you, the bigger He is to you.The Prince of Peace wants to reign in your soul, above all the noises, telling them to quiet down, kicking some of them out as you adjust your thoughts to His, changing your perspective, and keeping you safe.Take some time this season to focus on the presence of the Prince of Peace inside of you.He's there. Waiting for you. Whispering to you. Holding you.Hugs,Susan