Article

 Todd McDonald - December, 2024

“Achoo” is in the air. As we enter the cold and flu season, we need to take obvious precautions to keep ourselves and others from getting sick. Let’s not forget to cover our mouths when we sneeze, and don’t forget about hand-washing hygiene. It’s even good to keep safe distances when we, or someone we know, is sick. But no matter what we do to prevent illness, some people will always come down with colds and flus, especially during the height of cold and flu season. 

Many folks highly value vaccinations. They take a flu shot every year, trying to ward off illness. But even then, some still contract “the bug.” They go to the doctor only to hear, “Take something for your pain, drink plenty of fluids, eat chicken soup, and get plenty of bedrest.” In other words, go home, take care of yourself, and tough it out. Sometimes, all we can do is cope with the symptoms, until the sickness runs its course, usually a week or so. We go back home, snuggle up, slurp some of the best chicken soup we’ve ever had, and sigh, “Just what the doctor ordered,” as we drift off to sleep.

During the months ahead, we not only need to take care of our physical well-being, but we need to look to our mental/emotional health, as well. We need to be mindful of those around us, and ensure others are doing well emotionally and spiritually. Although the holiday season ahead is a wonderful time of celebration, many people struggle psychologically and emotionally due to trauma they and their family have experienced. The holiday months can be bitter-sweet. For example, people experience the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, a devastating diagnosis, and many other misfortunes – all during the holidays. Life does not stop as we approach the New Year, but it seems to become busier and more chaotic. Although it’s the most wonderful time of the year, holiday celebrations by no means stop bad things from happening. On the contrary, the sense of despair escalates. Even more, when bad things have happened during the holidays, people may relive those bad memories year after year, dreading the approach of the holiday season. So, the coming months can be a reminder of experiences some people would rather forget. 

How do we help ourselves and others through these kinds of challenges? We pray our way through it. Our help is certainly in Jesus, who forgives our sins and heals our hearts from the awful effects of sin. Although Jesus does not erase bad memories or undo past events, he does provide grace to get us through our difficulties. The writer of Hebrews encouraged us to look to Jesus for grace: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (He. 4:15-16).

We are assured that Jesus Christ can be touched by our infirmities, and we can “find grace to help” when we are going through hard times. As we cry out to Jesus, we are confident that he will give us grace and deliver us in our time of need. David wrote, “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry . . . Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Ps. 34:15, 19). Prayer is just what the Doctor ordered. Call on the name of Jesus!  There is salvation when we call on his name (Ro. 10:13).

Being a part of our human condition, Jesus suffered. Because of his own suffering, he empathizes with our suffering. He was and is moved with compassion for others. Like Jesus, we too need compassion and concern for our fellow sojourners in life. The only thing worse than going through misery is going through misery alone!  We love to rejoice with people and have a good time, but what do we do for those who are sad and distressed? Paul admonished us, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it” (1 Co. 12:26). He also wrote, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Ro. 12:15). We need to make sure those whom God has placed in our path do not experience isolation and loneliness in their grief. Our genuine empathy and friendship – a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a hug, a helping hand – can make the difference when people are struggling through difficult times. Although we cannot fix their problems, we can lighten the load through providing love, support, and understanding. It’s just what the Doctor ordered.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” To be sure, we need to weep with them that weep. But weeping should not last forever. Solomon explained, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecc. 3:1, 4). Certainly, loss and grief are a natural part of living. Weeping in times of grief is appropriate and necessary. But continual weeping and sorrow lends to hopelessness, and actually works against our healing. As Christians, we are not hopeless; we do have hope – hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to rejoice in our hope in the Lord; and we need to help others to rejoice also (Ro. 12:12). “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). We need to live in the expectation of coming joy. We are not called to despair, but to rejoice (Ph. 4:4; 1 Th. 5:16). For this reason, Christians should seek to exude joy in all we say and do, lifting up those around us. Our words and actions should edify and build up others in the joy of the Lord. Have a merry heart: laugh, rejoice, and be glad in the Lord (Ps. 118:24). It’s just what Doctor Jesus ordered!