When Your Peace Is Being Threatened At Christmas

I know God doesn’t want this for me.

Especially not now.

But as I prepare for Christmas… as I put up the tree, make holiday plans and order presents… as I keep trying to focus on the first Christmas… I can’t help but notice the white elephant in the room.

There he sits.

Big and expensive. And his presence is costing me big time.

I feel the tension… the unrest that springs from my ceaseless efforts to remove him… to dress him up or simply to ignore him.

But there he sits.

Big and expensive. Staring at me. Squatting heavily on any dreams of peace I may have.

   

What is your white elephant? It’s okay, most of us have at least one.

I know, you don’t like to acknowledge it, yet alone talk about it, especially at Christmas.

But bear with me. This just might be the best time to address him once and for all.

So, what is it?

Maybe, it’s the helplessness you feel as you watch a loved one make poor life choices… choices likely to cause harm. Your muscles tense and your stomach knots as you wait for the bomb to go off… all the while praying that Light will shine in their darkness.

Or it could be the worry that escalates each time you glance over at the mounting bills, or the uncertain job future.

Maybe it’s the threat of poor health that is stealing your sense of security.

Whatever it may be, strained relationships, financial woes, health concerns, the fear of living in a world gone bad, you just can’t seem to pull your eyes away from your white elephant.

Sometimes, especially at Christmas, you try to pretend he’s not there. I mean, you’ve tried everything, and he won’t budge, so why not try ignoring him.

Sometimes, you try to dress him up with frivolous activities and skin-deep distractions, hoping that with this disguise he won’t look quite so menacing.

   

Yet, no matter what or how much you try… there your white elephant sits… stealthily encroaching on the peace that could be yours.

But God doesn’t want this for us.

Because He came to bring us peace.

That first Christmas, over 2000 years ago, that was what the angels announced.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

The Messiah’s peace… offered to us for all times… in various kinds of troubles and trials… in every situation.

And that wasn’t the last we heard of this offer of peace. When God came to earth and dwelt among us as His Son, Jesus Christ, He would repeatedly remind us of this peace.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

   

Doesn’t that sound wonderful? When you crouch under the weight of trying to move your white elephant, doesn’t rest sound refreshing?

But, you argue, you don’t know the troubles I see. No, I don’t, but Jesus knows.

I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Yes, He knows our trouble… the white elephant… the pink or grey elephant… all the elephants… all the trouble we lug around and try to push out of the way.

It’s no doubt about it, we will have trouble in this world, but Jesus says take heart!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

There it is again – peace. The peace offered by God through the Messiah… the Christ… surpassing all human understanding… existing even in the most trying circumstances and… standing guard over our minds and hearts.

Peace!

Even with the white elephant in the room.

Peace!

Even when you don’t know what to do at Christmas.

Peace!

Let’s revisit that invitation:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

‘Rest for your souls’… aaaahhhh… sounds a lot like peace to me.

So, my friend, that is my plan this Christmas. To simply come to Jesus. 

To fix my eyes on Him. To relish the peace that He gives.

Because I know, this is what He wants for me.

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What about you?

Is your Christmas peace being threatened 

by ‘the white elephant in your room’?

How are you handling that?

Are you straining on your own?

Or are you handing it over to God?

I pray as you fix your eyes on Jesus 

and the peace that He brings 

that your Christmas will overflow 

with peace, joy, hope and love.

Grace to you,

Carlie

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Also sharing this post over at Aprons and Pearls link-up and Trekking Thru Link-up and Let's Have Coffee Link-up.  I so enjoyed my visit with them today.

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When Your Peace Is Being Threatened At Christmas