It’s a week before Christmas. This season of holiday time and festivities elicits the image of a bustling, happy home full of family and food. Gifts are plentiful and people gather round a warm fireplace or couch for conversations and shared memories. Many a Hallmark movie would have us believe that this is the standard of acceptable activity in the coming week. There is peace on earth and good tidings everywhere!

What if that image doesn’t fit your home, your family, or your outlook? What if you aren’t “okay” this moment or this season? What if realities like loneliness, grief, broken relationship, poverty, abuse, addiction, or depression are closer than peace on earth? For many, this is a season of getting through, pressing on, or hoping for a better tomorrow.

If you don’t feel merry and bright in this moment, that’s okay. You’re not alone and you’re not defined by your emotions. Emotions serve to communicate something; whether an indicator to us internally or an expression of the internal to someone on the outside. They are useful and good but they are not in control. It’s okay to feel and it’s okay to act according to the reality you choose even if that doesn’t follow your emotions. Decision and action are powerful means to affect reality, as reality is largely perception.

There is one decision that stands forefront in the hearts of humankind which has the power to affect perception and reality like none other; to accept the gift of grace that God freely gives which provides peace and hope. This decision is yours despite your circumstances or emotions.
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13.