-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
December 29, 2007
/--- READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD? -----------------------------\
ACU students do every day! Click to find out more
about Abilene Christian University, recognized as one of
"America's Best Colleges" by the U.S. News & World Report.
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/4/ ---------------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Don't Let Go!, by Bill Sherrill
I find it sad that in a time when so many are full of joy, the pain of
the lonely is increased. In more than fifty years of seeking to comfort
the wounded, I have become acutely aware of the increase in depression
and grief during the holidays. There is just something about seeing
others enjoying themselves that makes those in depression feel even
worse.
The situation reminds me of a sleigh full of Christmas carolers passing
a funeral procession. Neither group can feel what the other is feeling,
but out of respect the carolers are silent as they pass by and the
grieving long for the joy of the carolers. There is nothing wrong with
the respectful attitude of the carolers, but as they continue on, must
they now sing dirges rather than carols? To lose the sweet songs of the
season only deepens the sorrow, prolongs the grief, and deepens the
darkness of those depressed.
Over and over, I have watched this darkness bring down the joy of those
who are near to it -- only making those trapped in the darkness feel
worse. Our joy may not be shared by another, but is it necessary to
forgo the joy welling up within our hearts because someone else does
not feel it? Can we not have our joy without feeling guilty that others
do not feel the same? The command to "Rejoice with those who rejoice
and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15) opens the path for sharing
in varied feelings without adopting them as extended patterns of our
own lives.
Should we be sensitive to the sorrowful? Of course!
Should we encourage and love those who are downcast and despondent?
Absolutely!
On the other hand ...
Should we let go of our friends who are struggling with their own brand
of despair? Absolutely not!
Should we let go of our joy in Jesus, family, and the season?
Absolutely not!
Oh if everyone could find comfort and joy as one who is covered by the
"shadow of the Almighty." No one had more reason to be dragged down
than the Sweet Singer of Songs, King David, yet he constantly found his
way out of the pit (Psalms 40:2) and into the joy of the LORD. He knew
the secret: it was in his relationship of trust in the loving kindness
of his precious Father. Listen to these deep truths found in the 91st
Psalm.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Oh that everyone could find this comfort!
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
For it is He who delivers you ...
(Psalm 91:1-3).
David adds to this the verse which has comforted me in my darkest
nights.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that
flies by day (Psalm 91:5).
Oh that everyone could find the comfort of which David speaks! This
love is there for you in the loving presence of our gracious LORD.
To the joyous, you are called to be sensitive to those who cannot find
their joy, but you are not called to surrender your joy. It was given
to you by the Son, who "was anointed with the oil of gladness above
that of his fellows" (Hebrews 1:9). He entered our world as one of us
and he paid a great price to bring us this precious gift. Don't let go
of the struggling during this time, but at the same time, don't let go
of your joy, either.
Don't let go!
---------
(c) 2007 Bill Sherrill <sherrill@cox-internet.com>'s Thought for
the Week. Used by permission.
RELATED LINKS:
* Is This Really Depression?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200703/20070322_depression.html
* God in the Dark
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200603/20060305_dark.html
* Dry Spells
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200310/20031014_dryspells.html
* Bill Sherrill's Thought for the Week
http://www.northstreetcoc.org/ThoughtoftheWeek.html
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071229_dontletgo.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
SEE THE MORNING, by Chris Tomlin
Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring
easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/
\/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
