"Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiates 5:19-20
I know I am the optimist, but if I'm honest, my heart has been feeling a little heavy-laden lately, which can be a challenging way to feel in a season where the “festive-holly-jolly-joyful spirit” almost seems to be a standard, what is to be expected from all, like one is weird if feeling anything less than that. So maybe I am weird... but I have been experiencing a legitimate sadness due to 1.) being personally scathed by the dysfunctions of this world, but also as an empath due to 2.) taking on the load and sharing the burdens of others scathed by the dysfunctions of this world. Yet, when I look around, it is as if the heaviness intensifies at the sight of the many others around me beaming with Christmas joy and holiday cheer. I am not a grinch or against those people. Often times I am one of those people, but then there are other days the burdens I'm carrying make it much more difficult for me to join in. I am left feeling as if "I am on the outside looking in", as if something were wrong with me? as if I were alone? Am I? When I go through spells of sadness like this, I sure do feel like it.
In actuality, I know I’m not alone. It is just that the weary and heavy-laden tend to isolate and/or stuff their feelings, as opposed to unloading and talking about things with people. Well, not all, but I am definitely no exception to that. It can definitely be hard for me to be transparent about my hardships and the negative emotions that come with them them, especially during the month of December, not wanting to put a damper on anyone's spirit or "rain on their parade" so to speak… but maybe I should. Maybe we all need to welcome it and feel welcomed to be dumpers when it's our turn for a hard day. I don’t mean for the purpose of throwing pity parties or ruminating too deeply on dark themes for too long, but just to acknowledge to one another what we’re actually going through, sparing us from slipping into isolation, and allowing for opportunities to find comfort and support in one another. That sounds God-glorifying enough!
I am reading the book of Proverbs right now and this is what it says about good friendship (and other verses about staying in fellowship with one another and not isolating):
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22
# Goals .
we were made to support one another in this way! Okay, pep-talk to myself, over. ๐
I know Jesus is a perfect friend, and He and His word are there for me when I feel no one else can be, but in today's blog post I want to share with you my next greatest source of comfort that I turn to in hard times, MUSIC! In fact, as the title of this blog post alludes, today I'm going to share with you more specifically, the top 10 favorite song of mine that I have been turning to lately when the "going gets tough". I swear I have been listening to these songs on repeat for the past couple months now! I hope you enjoy them and can find them to be as edifying and encouraging as I found them to be. I praise God for the creative singers, songwriters, and composers, He destined to write such beautiful hopeful, and life-giving songs. They revive my soul.
I am sorry to say, I am so old-school though. I know most people use Spotify these days as their main music listening source. I do not. Just below, I will include youtube links to all the songs. If you discover any you like then you can go ahead and add them to YOUR spotify playlist! (I'm afraid I am finding it to be true, the older I get- you can't teach an old dog new tricks! ๐) I know they are not Christmas songs but I still hope you can find refreshment through them and are blessed!
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