Americans are experiencing a wide range of emotions these days. Seems more people than ever are angry or scared. Either we’re losing our rights, or the world is about to end because of climate change or war, or the rich people are taking over and we’re about to be living the real-life version of the movie Elysium.
These times make it feel sort of silly to worry about a Christmas list, or what cool things to put in your kids’ stockings. After all, if Russia is about to bomb everyone with a nuclear warhead, or a Category Five hurricane will wipe away your home, why not save yourself the trouble?
But we can’t live that way, can we?
God has been dealing with our fears for a long time, and he provides words of comfort.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Are things crazy right now? Yeah, they kinda are. Will life as we know it change? Maybe.
But besides God giving us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, rather than fear, he also gave us ingenuity. Kindness. The willingness to stand up for what is right.
We’ll figure things out.
Mr. Rogers’ mother told him this when he was young and the news scared him: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
So go ahead and buy your Christmas gifts. Wrap them and put them under the tree. Live your life abundantly, as God planned for you to live.
And if you can reduce your worst problem to deciding what to get for that one hard-to-buy-for family member, let me help you out.
Reading relaxes us and is a form of self-care. When we read, we immerse ourselves in another world and forget the troubles in our own. When we see our favorite characters figuring out how to solve their problems, it helps us believe we can solve ours too.
My San Antonio series will drop you into the 1860s with a group of kids trying to make it across the Texas plains alone. God helps them, just like he helps us. Live in Abby’s world for a while and leave your worries behind.
The eBook is on sale for $1.99 until December 4. Grab a copy for yourself or for the readers on your Christmas list. Make a set of it by including A Father’s Gift, and Accepted. Check out the first few pages in the “Look Inside” feature of Amazon to see if it’s your cup of tea. Find it here: https://tinyurl.com/Peckham1Protected
Gifts–both giving and receiving–make us feel loved. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Share in the comments. I’ll choose one winner and send you a copy of one of my books. Take care of one thing on your to-do list.