Have You Felt A Pervasive Sadness?
Several years ago, Stan and I decided not to do Christmas. Our children could go and be with their in-laws and friends and family, and then we would pick a time to celebrate New Year’s together.
This year we rented a cabin in Gatlinburg and everyone got to spend at least one night together. I had been sick a few days prior and Stan was not feeling very well on the day we arrived.
Our 50th Wedding Anniversary is January 15th and the kids had asked earlier in the year if we wanted a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration. We told them we didn’t.
On New Year’s Eve, with all of the family together, they managed a wonderful surprise party for us! It will always be one of the sweetest memories of my life!
Stan made an appearance at the Party, tried to smile and enjoy it, but he was sick. He immediately went back to his room. Thankfully, he is much better as I write this!
For the past two years, I believe that most of us have felt a prevailing sadness because of the sickness, death, heartache, loss, fear and uncertainty that has become a part of our daily lives.
And it’s not just the pandemic. It is drive by murders, riots, lies, inept leaders, fatherless homes, alienation, sex and human trafficking, the looming bad economy, prices rising, loss of freedom, the killing of over 63 million babies in the womb, a barrage of propaganda and the realization that our children and grandchildren may be living in a whole new globalist culture that does not value human life.
When I feel the pervasive sadness creeping into my heart, I run to God's Word. If I am in the car, I listen to biblical lessons and Scripture. He tells us the truth and we learn that almost every person in the world, even those who served God mightily have been subjected to pervasive sadness.
Noah probably felt that sadness when the entire world was being destroyed around him. Abraham must have felt that sadness as he led Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him. How sad it must have been for him to raise that knife! David must have felt that sadness when he realized his sinfulness of adultery and murder cost him the life of his son. Ezekiel must have felt that sadness when God's people would not listen to him. Paul must have felt it in prison. Peter must have felt it when the rooster crowed and he looked into the eyes of the suffering Savior.
Even our Lord must have felt that pervasive sadness as he was praying in the garden, knowing that he was about to endure the most horrible death by crucifixion. And imagine His sadness when He cried from the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
How did every one of these people, who believed in God, respond? They kept on working, obeying God, and trusting His promises! They willed themselves to continue living His will every day!
Sisters, that is exactly what we are called to do! Go to God. Pray. And keep looking to Jesus "the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and (who) is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
We have that same joy set before us! Paul Faulkner used to say that it was easier to ACT ourselves into a better way of FEELING than to FEEL ourselves into a better way of ACTING.
We are the light of the world! We are Christ's hands and feet. We are victorious! When the pervasive sadness begins to intrude, we need to trust the promises of God and ACT like the victors we are!
Love in Him, ❤️
Sheila
Below you will read some of the comments from our sisters in Christ. We have all just been through two of the most uncertain years in our lifetimes and we don't know what the future holds. If you have felt a pervasive sadness or doubt, you are not alone. Here are some of the comments that we have received.
"Sometimes when I think about the world we live in today, I get so terrified and want to hide my family from the bad stuff coming!
I'm not sure how to protect my grandchildren . . . except to explain to them what is wrong and take them to church and show them the right way.
But I can't let fear get me down! I repeat FAITH OVER FEAR
and constantly remind myself of Phil 4:13. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.)" (Mocksville, NC)
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"Sometimes I feel a creeping sadness in my heart. I can be having a good day and then the sadness shadow steals into my thoughts. At that time, I draw closer to My Lord and His Word to help me overcome it. If I am in the car, I turn on great sermons, Bible lessons or Bible reading. God is truly the only One we can completely believe and trust in these uncertain times, as He has always been" (Columbia, Tennessee)
In Him,
Sheila
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