I hope all are doing well! It’s hard to believe there are less than 50 days left in 2023 -the year went by so quickly!
As the end of the year is nearing, I’ve been reflecting on this past year and the ways God has moved in my life, what he has revealed to me and what he has protected me from. God never ceases to amaze me, even in the struggles! What has God done in your life this year? What doors has he opened for you? What do you think he’s been protecting you from with the doors he did not open? I’m hopeful, as you reflect on your past year, you notice God’s work in your life.
The bible verse: When Jesus spoke to them again, he said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12) was on my mind today.
I think the main reason this verse was on my mind is because I put up my Christmas tree today (Sigh, I know, to many that seems a bit premature, but having the Christmas lights up in my home brings me a peace I really need this year). After getting the tree out of the box and all set up, I plugged in the lights. To my dismay, the lights in the middle of the tree were burnt out. It was such a bummer!
The quick, non-time-consuming solution was to string new lights over the old ones, so I did. Let me tell you, it’s now a bit of a hot mess up close, but it works! As I was covering the burnt-out lights with the bright, shiny new lights, my thoughts started relating what I was doing to the process of healing and growth, and I felt compelled to share it here.
In the many podcasts I’ve listened to and books I’ve read on healing, one common theme is that we must walk through the healing process, rather than suppressing our feelings in the hopes they will eventually disappear. Like the lights on my Christmas tree, when we have a piece of ourselves that is “burnt out” and in need of healing, we can simply cover up the problem by occupying ourselves with something bright that masks the darkness in the moment, but in doing so, what we are really doing is sidestepping the issue in front of us rather than resolving it long term.
By adding new lights over the old ones, my tree now has several burnt-out lights that are taking up space and preventing the tree from shining in some areas as the new lights did not perfectly cover all the dark spots. When we allow unhealed areas to remain within us, we allow the darkness to take up space in our mind and hearts, which then prevents us from shining in the way God intended.
John 14:27 says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” If you have areas in your life that are currently unhealed, I want to pray for you. I pray you can lay the unhealed, burnt-out pieces in God’s hands and recognize the many ways you were made to shine. I pray you can release the things taking up space in your heart and mind that are preventing you from being the version of you that God created you to be. I pray you can walk through your healing and come out on the other side, a better and stronger person. In Jesus name, Amen.
