Most people aren’t aware that December can be a very busy month for Christian Life Coaches.
How can that be? We have parties, presents and are surrounded by people for Christmas! Surely, we are all filled with joy! Right?
The truth is many people struggle with Christmas and this joy everyone says they should be feeling, but aren’t.
Perhaps you can identify with these thoughts that Christian Coaches often hear:
“How can I feel joy when I just lost my job?”
“My marriage is falling apart – the last thing I’m feeling is joy.”
“I am so discouraged about my children, where’s the joy in that?”
In the early 1700’s a British gentleman, Isaac Watts, was struggling with his joy too.
He had major health issues that never improved and eventually led to his death.
His poor health also severely impacted his work life as a pastor. He had to have a permanent assistant preach regularly in his place because of his health.
Isaac also fell in love with a beautiful poet named Elizabeth Singer, and excitedly proposed to her. She turned him down.
He was imprisoned numerous times for his Christian beliefs.
On top of that, he was becoming discouraged with church because he felt the worship music at that time was so depressing. After expressing his struggle with the music numerous times, Isaac’s father told him he was tired of hearing his complaints and challenged him to write a song of his own.
That’s exactly what he did. In fact, Isaac ended up writing about 700 hymns in his lifetime. One of his most beloved hymns he wrote was “Joy to the World”.
Despite all the struggles Isaac was experiencing, he was intent on focusing on the joy of the birth of our Savior.
Wow – what a shift in his mindset! (I wonder if he had his own Christian Life Coach to help him!)
What can we learn from Isaac that can help us do the same? Let’s look at the message of his wonderful words from Joy to the World.
1. Focus on the truth that The Lord Has Come! Into this dark and weary world, the arrival of Jesus is Good News! Whatever we are going through, we are not alone. We are not left to walk through anything on our own. We are loved and cherished beyond all measure.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
2. Focus on the truth that The Savior Reigns! Whatever we are going through, we can rest knowing that the Lord is still in control. We can look at the chaos of the world, of our life, of our own doubts, and take a deep breath, and rest in His sovereignty.
I may not enjoy every struggle, but I can still find joy in the truth of who Christ is.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18
3. Focus on the truth that Jesus’ birth and reign means that joy is now possible but not guaranteed. We must let every heart prepare Him room.
What defines whether we experience joy or not? In order to experience joy, we need to make room for Jesus.
We have to lay down our pride of feeling that “I can fix this situation”.
We have to lay down our self-sufficiency of feeling “I’ve got this”.
Because the truth is we can’t, and we don’t.
Once we lay it all down, we make room for Christ to reign in our life.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7
Are we trying to put on a smile and just trudge through these next few weeks? Isn’t that exhausting? Why try to manufacture the world’s version of joy, when we can experience the real thing.
Once we make room for Jesus in our lives, He brings the joy, and our lives are never the same. Thank you, Lord!
Contact us today to begin your journey as a Christian Life Coach.
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