Not everyone is all about doing or reading a plan that comes from the Bible with a group; let alone by themselves. However, I am going to be reading these plans with you and help you through them. You may want to work through these plans with me or on your own at your own pace. (No judgement here if you don’t feel comfortable. No pressure!) FYI: I have had a hard time through this plan because of past abuse and forgiveness and healing is hard but in the end is worth it. You can feel/find peace from healing. I have mixed some of my experiences and ways towards healing in this devotional. Within this plan, we will grow together as well as heal a hurting heart.
Devotional:
I wonder how many people listen to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and have no idea how melancholy the original lyrics were. The song first appeared in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, as the climax to a heartbreaking scene. The character played by Judy Garland sings it in an attempt to comfort her little sister, who has just heard the devastating news that the family is moving away from all their friends.
When Frank Sinatra recorded the song, he asked the the lyricist to “jolly up” the words, so the version most of us are familiar with has a much different feel, but Judy Garland’s original performance is a testimony to the fact that the holidays can be a time of pain rather than joy for many.
The sad truth is, many people face the holidays with dread rather than joy. Happy thoughts are replaced instead with memories of broken relationships, the pain of hurtful words and continuing struggles with perplexing, long-term problems.
My mother often said, “Be nice to everyone, because everyone has problems!” The years have proved she was right! But how does one move from hurting to healing? Out of my own attempt to do so, and with the help of others, I have started to move from hurting to healing. I know from personal experience just how difficult the holidays can be, and the message of these books written by Tom Elliff could be crucial for you or someone you know.
Recommended books:
The Red Feather
The Broken Curse
The Unwanted Gift
Author: Tom Elliff
“In Tom’s words, he mentioned that over time, these books have become trusted resources, used by thousands as a road map to forgiving, overcoming hurtful words and gaining victory through long term, painful problems. Through, his own struggles over the years, God revealed crucial scriptural, Christ-centered and effective truths. Which then became the focus to his books.”
In this Bible plan, I want to share just a gist of the biblical truths. Whether you read it yourself, share it at the office, a hospital room, at home, or with your small group. You’ll find these truths just the thing to start a hurting heart on the journey to healing.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, this season is hard, but I know that you know that. One of your names is the "God of all Comfort" and you promised me comfort in all my troubles. As I go through the day-to-day tasks of the season, remind me that you are with me about the big and little things that may be causing hurt. Keep my eyes on you and not on this world.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
May this truly move you from hurt to healed.
Verses to look up:
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
2 Timothy 2:12
Praise be to the God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in an trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also out comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
All the love,
Cheyenne
Break The Comfort Box! 