Christmas should be a joyful time. After all, we’re celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. But unfortunately, this time of year can be a very stressful as we try to figure out how we’re going to do everything we need to do and buy everything we want to buy. Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. But many of us don’t have any peace.

When we look around, we see many people who are concerned about the future and what it holds. During these times of uncertainty, we need to follow the Apostle Paul’s advice:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpassed all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(Phil. 4:6-7)
Refuse To Worry
Fear and worry are contrary to the Word of God and we shouldn’t let ourselves become stressed out about anything. No matter what is going on around us, we can tap into God’s peace and let it take over. When we do this, we will have peace when things aren’t going our way and everybody else is stressed out.

In my own life, I refuse to allow myself to worry. People who know me have often heard me say in stressful circumstances, “I don’t care.” It’s not that I don’t care, but I’ve decided that no matter what situation looks like, I will not worry.

God’s peace enables us not to worry when it seems we should be worried. This happens when we know God will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5) and that He causes us to triumph in all situations (2 Cor. 2:14). Jesus came so we could have fullness of life on the earth (John 10:10). And being depressed and stressed at Christmastime or at any time is not fullness of life.

Consider what Christmas means to you. Are you spending more time wondering what gifts to buy than celebrating the birth of Christ? No matter what is going on around us, we can tap into God’s peace and let it take over.

Looking Inside
Anytime we’re feeling stressed, we need to remember that the Greater One resides inside of us. When we focus on Who is in us, we’ll look at our circumstances differently. But instead of doing this, too many Christians are looking to others for help. They think if they can get their pastor to come to their home and pray for them, they’ll be OK. Or If they call enough prayer groups around the country, then their needs will be met.

Whatever our situation is, we already have the Answer. And that is the reason we celebrate the Christmas season. The Answer was born to be the Savior for all mankind. And when we focus our thoughts on the Answer, we’ll have the solution to anything we face.

Sound Asleep In The Storm
In Mark chapter 4, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side” (v. 35 NKJV). After they got into the boat, Jesus fell asleep on a pillow. While He was sleeping, a fierce storm arose. The disciples were fearful that they were going to die, so they woke Jesus. And “then He arose and rebuked the wind, and the said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’” (v. 39 NKJV).

Some may wonder how the disciples could have been so fearful when Jesus was in the boat with them. How could they have ever thought the boat would sink with Jesus on board? Well, guess what: whenever we’re going through a storm in life, Jesus is in our “boat” too. But like the disciples, many of us think we’re going to sink. Instead of using the authority Christ gave us, we’re trying to wake Jesus up and get Him to help us!

So if cares of the Christmas season start piling up on us, let’s remember the real reason for the season: Jesus, the Light of the World, was born to bring salvation to mankind, and He now lives inside of us. Whenever life is tossing us to and fro, let’s rise up and say, “Peace, be still!” And as we remember Who is in our boat and keep Him at the center of the Christmas season, we’ll be filled with the peace that He brought to the world.


Copyright ©  Kenneth Hagin Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.