Find hope in holy season

Christmas is a season to celebrate, for unto us a Savior has been born.

He came to bring light to a dark world and to give us hope.

However, it is difficult for some of you to have a spirit of joy during these holidays because you are experiencing struggles and heartache in your life.

It is hard to praise God when your world is crumbling around you; but it is then that you must.

Although you may not understand it now, all that God allows for you is planned for your best interest.

There is a divine purpose to bring you closer to him and to have a greater knowledge of his power and love.

Believers will discover with certainty that God was with them in the midst of every storm they faced.

The Apostle Paul understood firsthand that when your faith was in Christ, all things that you endured were allowed by Christ for a reason.

By faith, he knew that although he was persecuted for sharing the Gospel, there was an eternal plan by God to work it out for his good and for the kingdom.

Paul wrote these words while suffering in prison: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

God knows what you need and he is able to provide all that is good for you.

A trial in your life can make you forget that God is with you.

When a painful situation takes you down, your attitude in dealing with it depends on whether you trust that God will take you through it.

Our hope is secure because God’s promises never fail.

That does not stop the devil from trying to fill your mind with lies and fear.

Don’t surrender to them, for they come from an enemy who was defeated by the cross of Christ.

All things are under the power of a sovereign God, who has timed every trial you face.

He will never let you be crushed by the storms of this world.

Paul endured a hardship in prison but his God never left him.

He knew that he would suffer for a while for the purpose that God planned but that he could not be destroyed by this time of pain – he could only be made better and stronger.

It gives honor to God when you can give thanks in all things, including those trials that you don’t understand his purpose in allowing.

Without a doubt and in all things, God is working on something far greater in you.

You may be feeling weary and overwhelmed right now because your situation seems hopeless.

But, that is not true, for nothing is beyond the power of God to work out.

There are no impossible situations with God.

He who breathed into the dust and made man has no boundaries or limitations. He can do all things and he will move heaven and earth in his perfect plan for you.

You just need to trust his ways and by faith believe that he will not fail you.

This holy season and always, give God praise and honor for all things.

Jesus came to this earth to give us life and a future with promise.

Be thankful for what he has given you thus far and put your trust in the future he planned and will fulfill for your life.

Marianne Lordi attends Old North Church in Canfield.