This month many Christians will spend time with family exchanging gifts, eating, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. This month will also be difficult for many others. December can serve as a reminder of family members who are no longer with us, living alone, and other painful memories. Whenever you feel empty:
Pray
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:13-18
Connect
Engage with your brothers and sisters as often as possible. Visit with someone who would be uplifted by your show of love for them. Most assuredly, you will be encouraged as well.
Be regular at worship services and our midweek Bible study. Hebrews 10:25 explains why our fellowship with each other is so important. It is our opportunity to exhort and encourage one another.
Find Comfort in God
Psalm 34 is an excellent passage that speaks to the downtrodden. Specifically, versus 18-19 state, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
Loss, bereavement, and emptiness are real; they are not defined by time. However, we can find comfort in God, who loves and cares for us.
For the elders, Terry Clark