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Welcoming Words Newsletter    December 2024-x

By Debbie Sorensen

Well, hello there! The good news for today is: Welcoming Words is a way to bring hope and encouragement to those around us. In this time, when stress can threaten to obliterate the most important meaning of the Christmas season, we can find joy and peace. If we choose.

Today’s Focus: Let’s look at words that can welcome and embrace right where you are. 

I Peter 5:7 states: “casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” This is a great Scripture to take to heart. When we are cast down, and in the dumps, the Lord is there to take our burdens because He cares about us. When He is in charge, we can leave our anxiety behind and release our pride if need be.

There is no sense wishing we had started preparing and saving eleven months ago. Take inventory of yourself first. Think about what you are looking forward to the most in these next four weeks. What are you dreading? What are the activities that are most important?  Be honest with yourself. Decide what you can do to enjoy this season and not allow the tyranny of the urgent to derail a special time of the year. Give those burdens over to the God who created you for such a time as this. Get rid of unnecessary activities and spending temptations. You will be so relieved.

Look at the roadblocks that are keeping you from joy. God’s Word can and will direct you in ways that will surprise and uplift your spirits. I’d like to encourage all of us to take a step back and see if there is something we need to adjust in our lives to allow joy and peace to abound. Will we choose what is best?

Application: Admit to what is causing you to hang on to your pride and keep you stuck in anxiety and stress. Is that working for you? Identify two activities in your week that need to be changed. How could you adjust your attitude? While we can’t change others, we can change ourselves.

Give yourself five minutes to write down one to three things you would love to do this season with folks who are dear to you. Focus on unexpected blessings you have received.  Think about one unexpected blessing you could bestow on another child of God. Allow yourself to rest in the peace and joy you have received in the past. Dwell on that. Pass it on. We have a choice.

Is there a cost-free gift you might desire above all else? A restored relationship? Consul from a wise and experienced person? Peace of heart? Fill in your blank. Select one intangible gift you long to receive that could release you from stress and anxiety. Decide how you might do something similar for another person. Mercy and grace are inexpensive but priceless.

Why it matters:  When we step out with hope and encouragement, we counter stress and anxiety.  These simple acts work the purpose of God in His people. Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior, is our example and hope. He is the way to defeat stress and anxiety. Let us choose wisely.

Contact:  Debbie Sorensen at [email protected]