If you have lived long enough, most of us have experienced toilsome relationships or the loss of a precious loved one. A pandemic, chaos in the world and the holidays can exacerbate the grief one feels from loss or an arduous relationship. As families have congregated for Thanksgiving and with Christmas swiftly approaching, be it in person or even virtually, loneliness and a sense of being forsaken, can reach a heightened scope of pain.

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We mourn those who have been present throughout the entirety of our lives and now leave a vacant seat. Many of us experience rejection and desertion from those who we thought would love us unconditionally and walk through life with us. We can acknowledge our choices that have contributed to the downfall of relationships while yearning for a healing that seems nearly impossible apart from divine intervention.

As I contemplated the pain that so many have endured over 2020 and especially with the holidays in full swing, I was comforted by the fact that Jesus was well acquainted with suffering, rejection and desertion.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. ~Isaiah 53:3

Just this morning, I heard a man preach on the story of Lazarus. As Mary and Martha beckoned Jesus to come see His dear friend, their brother, who was on his death bed, Jesus delayed his arrival. Upon finding his beloved friend dead, Jesus wept. The preacher I was listening to, suggested that we deal with our suffering much like Mary and Martha dealt with their brother’s death. We bury our suffering.

Thankfully, Jesus comes along and proactively and intentionally unveils the stench of pain we have buried, in order to bring forth healing. While His timing may not align with our desires, we are promised He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

He restores what was lost. He resurrects that which was dead. He brings hope to what seemed irreparable by all human appearances. The pain we have sought to conceal, is now unearthed and the light of Jesus finds a way to revitalize that which seems beyond repair, even lifeless. This is the baby in whom we have cause to celebrate Christmas. This is the One True God who is faithful and unchanging. He is the all consuming God who maintains the ever so delicate balance found in the mystery of the following truths proclaimed in Isaiah 61:

God binds up the brokenhearted, He proclaims freedom for the captives, release from darkness for prisoners, comfort for all who mourn, provision for all who grieve, He bestows a crown of beauty instead of ashes, providing the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and He clothes us with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

May you be encouraged as you bask in the truth found in Psalm 107:

God brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. He sent forth His word and healed them.

As we enter this Advent season, may we pause and ruminate over the wondrous fact that we are celebrating the arrival of the Christ child, the only One from whom we can experience lasting transformation, healing and hope. Advent literally means: the beginning or arrival of something anticipated. I am greatly anticipating new beginnings. I await the arrival of redemption that I know our God can and will perform in all hearts that are weary, discouraged, grieving and immersed in despair.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. ~John 1:14

Psalm 107:20 declares: God sent forth His word and healed them and John 1:14 assures us: the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us. As we weigh the significance of a God who humbled Himself and dwelt with us in order to heal us, may we accept and receive the very healing He longs to provide.

(Used with Permission from He is Trustworthy. Author Susie Smith blogs at HE is trustworthy. Photo Credit: Unsplash.)

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