Healing - My Christmas Wish

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

As Christmas approaches, I can’t help but think about how many people are hurting in this world. For whatever reason, Christmastime seems to put a spotlight on people who are suffering or are in need. (At least, it feels that way to me.)

The older I get and the more I grow in my own spiritual relationship with God, the more I realize that we are all hurting in some form or fashion. Some of us may not even register it. Are there things that you do that you don’t like, but take comfort in? (Eating sugary snacks or smoking, for instance.) Do you find yourself being resentful of other people and what they have? Do you battle feelings of insecurity? Are there aspects of yourself that you hide from your loved ones, because you are ashamed of them? I think all of these are signs that you are hurt and need healing in some way.

Our hurts can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. This is why you see so many people who are sad, angry, insecure, discontent, or just plain lost.

What we need is healing. We all need it. You need it. I need it. Our country needs it. Our world needs it.

So, instead of waiting for the new year, make a resolution now and start your healing today.

And, I am sure you are asking, exactly how do I go about this? Well, I am certainly no expert, but I will tell you that a great place to start is with God. I truly believe that God can and will heal you. And, He is really the only one who can.

The second thing I would tell you is that kindness works wonders. Kindness is a miracle drug for the soul.

Learn to be kind. Start your healing today. This is my Christmas wish for you.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to everyone around you. Be kind to your environment—the world and all of God’s creatures living in it.

Wisely pursue healing and start with kindness. Rewire your thinking and start creating thought patterns that are kind. Start with being kind to yourself.  Practice thinking about yourself the way that God thinks about you. Start your practicing now and don’t stop! Remember that old joke about Carnegie Hall? If not, let me refresh your memory. Question: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practice, practice, practice.”

How do you get to healing? Be kind, be kind, be kind. Practice being kind. Think Godly thoughts about yourself. God created you and He loves you unconditionally, just as you are. God thinks that you are an amazing and wonderful person. Every negative thought you have about yourself, stop them as soon as they start and redirect them to the powerful and positive ones that God thinks about you. This way of thinking about yourself is much healthier. And remember, God already knows the plans He has for you and they are good plans to prosper, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. (See Jeremiah 29:11).

Once you start thinking more kindly about yourself, turn your kindly thoughts towards others. This not only allows you to help in their healing, but it allows you to continue in your own healing as well. It has been scientifically proven that being kind is good for your health. Kindness eases anxiety, is good for your heart, helps you live longer, reduces stress, and helps prevent illness. A key thought to remember here is the “Golden Rule”—treat others the way you want to be treated. (See Matthew 7:12). I don’t know about you, but I very much appreciate being treated kindly.

Being kind changes your heart. When your heart changes, your outlook on life changes. And, this is where true healing begins. Ask God for His help—He is just waiting to hear from you, help you, and heal you.

My Christmas wish this year is for healing. Healing for you. Healing for me. Healing for all of us.

I will leave you with this wonderful prayer to get you started. It is from Susie Larson:

Precious Lord,

I know You want this for me. I want this for me. Help me to retrain my thoughts and reframe my perspective. I marvel at how often my thoughts take me downward. But like an eagle that soars in the sky, You call me to set my sights on things above. I need supernatural help with this! Fill me afresh with a strong sense of Your presence and Your peace. Help me to remember the great things You have done. May I one day marvel at how my thoughts reflect a heart and mind that are healed and whole, just like You always intended them to be. Do a miracle in me, Lord.

In Your Name, I pray.
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Amen.