Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean pain and sorrow take a back seat. I know several of you are experiencing loss, whether that’s the physical death of a family member or a pet, the loss of a job or a home, or an immaterial loss like the loss of an expectation. Perhaps you had hoped to be out of debt by the end of this year but it didn’t happen. Or the relationships you had hoped to develop didn’t materialize. Whatever the case, there’s a bit of sadness this holiday season. For those of you who are in that situation, I want to leave you this bit of encouragement.
This is what God told Joshua when he became the leader of Israel after the death of Moses. God knew Joshua would be facing some difficult situations and there was one truth God wanted Joshua to remember.
“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT.
No matter what you’re facing today or how long it will take you to work through your loss remember God is with you even in your grief.