December 15‚ 2023 When Christmas Feels BrokenTRACIE MILES  Lee en español "I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken‚ for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 (NLT) I sat on the couch on Christmas Eve‚ trying to hold back my tears as my three children stood in front of me‚ presents in their arms and ready to walk out the door‚ yet with concerned and worried expressions on their faces. They were headed to their grandmother's house for Christmas dinner‚ just as we had done for years - but this year was different. My husband and I had separated a few months earlier‚ so for the first time‚ they were going to the family holiday gathering without me. I knew this was hard on them‚ too‚ so I assured them I would be fine and encouraged them to have a nice visit‚ but inside‚ my heart was aching. Not only did my family feel broken but Christmas felt broken‚ and I felt broken as well. After they left‚ a deep sense of loneliness hung heavy in the air‚ drowning out the fresh pine scent of the tree. The tears I had been holding back dripped down my cheeks. After a few minutes‚ though‚ I breathed a heavy sigh‚ wiped my tears and sat up straight. I reminded myself of God’s promises in Scripture to be with me always. Even though my husband had left‚ my heavenly Father never would. I knew I needed to refocus on the fact that even though my life had changed‚ God was still the same. In Psalm 16‚ we read about a time when David‚ too‚ felt especially left behind‚ forgotten and afraid. When he wrote this passage‚ he was likely hiding in the woods‚ knowing that his enemy‚ Saul‚ and his army were in hot pursuit to find David and kill him. Yet instead of letting his emotions shake him up‚ David shifted his attitude and intentionally chose to refocus on God's presence. We see evidence of this in Psalm 16:8‚ where David said‚ "I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken‚ for he is right beside me."  We can make the same choice as David when we are enduring hard times. When a spouse says they're leaving. A boss says we're no longer needed. A loved one or family member leaves this world too soon. A friend betrays us. Trying to pick up the pieces of our broken hearts‚ we’re left wondering if we'll ever feel whole and unbroken again. Especially in the joy and celebration of the Christmas season‚ faith-shaking circumstances can shake us up much like David. But even if this season doesn't feel the same‚ we can remind ourselves that God will never leave us or forsake us. Keeping our focus on His presence helps us feel less shattered and alone‚ equips us to handle the emotions of the holidays‚ and prepares us to be spiritually ready for anything the future holds. Lord‚ this season is hard‚ and I long to feel Your presence beside me and to see You at work in my life. Help me have confidence that You are always with me‚ and infuse me with hope and peace I can't find on my own. Give me joy in this season of celebrating Your birth‚ no matter my circumstances. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS If you are feeling broken due to divorce and need help getting through the holidays‚ purchase Tracie's book Living Unbroken: Reclaiming Your Life and Your Heart After Divorce. Also check out the accompanying Living Unbroken: A Divorce Recovery Workbook‚ a one-of-a-kind‚ seven-week program for individuals or small groups‚ which also includes a Leader’s Guide and seven beautiful teaching videos featuring Tracie Miles to help you heal and grow beyond the pain of divorce. ENGAGE Follow Tracie on Instagram to find out how you could win a Living Unbroken book and workbook bundle! You can also visit her on Facebook. FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 94:19‚ "When anxiety was great within me‚ your consolation brought me joy" (NIV). Do you know a friend or loved one who's going through divorce or another hard season? Consider reaching out to them today with some encouragement‚ inviting them out for coffee‚ or just giving them a hug. If you feel alone or lost this holiday season‚ how can you pray for God to make your heart sensitive to His presence? We'd love to hear from you in the comments. © 2023 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post When Christmas Feels Broken –  Encouragement for Today – December 15‚ 2023 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1894 - Day 2 of first cricket test between Australia and England‚ Australia 586 runs (Gregory 201) England 3-130 1929 - National Football League Championship: Green Bay Packers (12-0-1) win first past the post title 1936 - KVL-AM in Seattle Washington changes call letters to KEEN (now KING) 1946 - Giants Filchock and Hapes suspended by NFL‚ didn't report bribe attempt 1952 - KHON TV channel 2 in Honolulu‚ HI (NBC) begins broadcasting 1973 - Pirates of Caribbean ride opens at Disneyland 1986 - 150 killed during race riot in Karachi 1994 - Jaston Williams‚ Joe Sears and Ed Howard stage drama "A Tuna Christmas" opens at Booth Theate‚r NYC; runs for 20 performances 1995 - The European Communities Court of Justice hands down the "Bosman ruling"‚ giving EU footballers the right to a free transfer at the end of their contracts‚ with the provision that they are transferring from one UEFA Federation to another. 2021 - COVID-19 Omicron variant called "probably the most significant threat" of the pandemic by head of UK Health Security Agency‚ warning of "staggering" growth in next few days More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1903 - NY Wall Street vendor Italo Marchiony [Marcioni] granted patent for a mound for making ice cream cones 1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band‚ play their only European gig - appearing in UNICEF charity concert at London's Lyceum Ballroom‚ band is augmented by Bonnie and Delaney and guitarist George Harrison 1973 - Pirates of Caribbean ride opens at Disneyland 2011 - Barry Bonds is sentenced to 30 days of house arrest‚ two years of probation and 250 hours of community service‚ for an obstruction of justice conviction stemming from a grand jury appearance in 2003 2018 - Egyptian Archaeologists announce discovery of 4‚400 year old tomb of Fifth Dynasty priest in Saqqara pyramid complex near Cairo 2020 - MacKenzie Scott announces she has given away more than $4 billion to 384 nonprofit organizations across the US More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1887 - Pieter Geyl‚ Dutch historian (History of the Dutch Tribe)‚ born in Dordrecht‚ Netherlands (d. 1966) 1907 - Gordon Douglas [Brickner]‚ American film director (Our Gang; Laurel and Hardy; Young At Heart; Way...Way Out; Tony Rome; They Call Me Mister Tibbs!)‚ born in NYC (d. 1993) 1922 - (Albert) "Alan" Freed‚ American disc jockey and concert promoter who popularized the term "rock-n-roll"‚ and payola scandal figure‚ born in Windber‚ Pennsylvania (d. 1965) 1930 - Edna O'Brien‚ Irish novelist and short story writer (Girl with Green Eyes‚ Casualties of Peace)‚ born in Tuamgraney‚ County Clare‚ Ireland 1939 - Nicolaus A. Huber‚ German composer‚ born in Passau‚ Germany 1986 - Snejana Onopka‚ Ukrainian supermodel‚ born in Sievierodonetsk‚ Soviet Union More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1715 - George Hickes‚ English linguist (Old German Philology)‚ dies at 73 1990 - Betty Warren‚ British actress (Passport to Pimlico)‚ dies at 83 1990 - Jean Paige‚ American silent film actress (Capt Blood; Black Beauty)‚ dies at 95 1999 - George Elrick‚ Scottish-British singer ("I Like Bananas Because They Have No Bones")‚ and broadcaster known as 'The Smiling Voice of Radio' (BBC's "Housewives' Choice")‚ dies at 95 2010 - Bob Feller‚ American Baseball HOF pitcher (8 x MLB All Star; AL Triple Crown 1940; 3 x no-hit games; Cleveland Indians)‚ dies from leukemia at 92 2021 - Bridget Hanley‚ American actress (Here Come the Brides - "Candy Pruitt")‚ dies of Alzheimer's disease complications at 80 More Famous Deaths »

Brazilian gospel singer Pedro Henrique suffered a massive heart attack while performing on stage on Sunday before collapsing and dying suddenly. The 30-year-old was performing his popular song ‘Vai Ser Tão Lindo’ at a religious [...] The post 30-Year-Old Brazilian Pop Star Suffers Heart Attack‚ Dies Suddenly During Live Performance appeared first on The People's Voice.