Some of you are too hard on yourself when it comes to family gatherings. You assume that if you were a "better person" you would handle the frustrations of your family better. I want to remind you that God is immeasurably kind and compassionate towards you at this very moment. 1/
God cares about the hurts and sins that have been done against you. He does not minimize your pain or tell you to minimize the sin done against you. He sees the ways you should have been loved better by family, friends and others that should have protected and nurtured you. 2/
God understands how brave it is for some of you to gather with family members who have caused you great harm and genuine sadness. Even though you have done your best to forgive them, the remembrances of the sin done against you and the broken trust is still painful. 3/
God is a good father, who cares for how you are hurting. He wants you to feel secure, accepted, loved and hopeful. He is with you and for you. He is your true advocate and counselor in every situation, especially when you gather with difficult family members. 4/
Through the cross, Christ experienced profound rejection from the people he loved. He was betrayed by those who should have protected him. God understands what it is like to be harmed by the people who should have loved him the most. God understands how you feel. 5/
Through the cross, we not only find forgiveness for our sins, but we find Christ identifying with the sins done against us. He abides with the abused, with the forsaken, with the rejected and with the scorned. He abides with you my friend, the one who should have been loved. 6/
This holiday season, when you enter an unsafe room, and confront painful people and painful memories, remember that Christ enters the room with you. He is your understanding advocate, defender and friend. He is always present to bring you comfort, peace and a way forward. 7/
Grace upon grace to you. All you can do is your best. God does not condemn you for how you feel. He accepts you and loves you and calls you his own. Blessings to you this holiday season. Pastor Doug. 8/8
