What God wants us to be during this holiday season amid pandemic

Many of us get excited for the Holiday season. Surely, it is not only the children who become eager to open and receive gifts from their friends, godmothers, and loved ones. Even adults get enthusiastic to celebrate their holidays with their family or whoever they want to be with. 

Unfortunately, to some, it may be difficult to be extremely  joyful because of what the year 2020 has brought in the world. It delivered so much suffering not only because of the pandemic but also because of natural catastrophes. There are people who struggled too much from losing a job, business, investment, and worst a loved one. 

But in spite of this, we still envision a different life and version of ourselves especially this holiday season. We want to be the best version of ourselves by showing our talents, skills, thoughts, or interest on so many things while others just simply want to be like someone else whom they usually look up to or get envious of.

But have you ever wondered what God wants us to be this holiday season amid the COVID-19 pandemic and all sorts of problems we currently have?  You may not believe me but I guess here are the utmost things that God wants to see from us as true Christians.

Be thankful

In first Thessalonians 5:18, it was stated that we must “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This only means that we must not only give gratitude to likely things that benefitted us and made us joyful but also to those unfortunate circumstances that we are unhappy with. Thanking God because of awful events that we experienced in life does not literally mean that we are thankful to the harm and suffering that He gave to us, but to the strength, perseverance, and guidance that He bestowed to us as we endure the pain from the challenges and obstacles we encountered.

We thank Him not for evil things, but for sustaining us up to the present time. The year 2020, may have made us cry a river, but we must still be grateful enough to thank God for letting us surpass each day.

Love other people

In John 15:12, God commands us to love one another as He loved us.  It is good that you prioritize and think of yourself but bear in mind that there are people around you that you must love as your brothers and sisters. Loving other people does not necessarily mean that you must have a romantic relationship with them. Loving is a diverse word and language that can also be defined as giving and helping. 

Yes, you may have lost a lot of things or money this year, but as long as you still have something to give and hands to extend for others, then you should help and learn to embrace people around you just like how God loved and accepted you as His own in spite of your flaws.

 

Forgive people

One of the greatest lessons this year is that “life is too short.” We do not exactly know when we would disappear in this material world that we live in. That is why, as long as we still have air to breath and the chance to live, let us learn to forgive people no matter what they have done so wrong to us. Let us not plant hatred and anger in our hearts. As Ephesian 4:32 says “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

However, let me remind you that forgiveness does come at the right time. If you still need some time to heal and move on, then go for it. Real forgiveness takes time, it does not hurry. Talk to God about it and ask for His guidance so you would not lose your path towards forgiveness and humility.

Connect to Him and do not worry

Many of us have obviously forgotten God. It is no doubt that there are people who tend to forget Him whenever they experience hurdles and problems in life. They question everything that they can think of and even blame Him with all the unfortunate circumstances they are currently experiencing like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This holiday season, I am pretty sure that this is the perfect time to restore not only our strength but also our faith. Christmas reminds us that a hero was born for us. God our Father and Jesus our savior is real and does exist. We only make ourselves believe that God and His Son are unreal because we lack connection to them. We forget to pray, ask for forgiveness, and thank for all the blessings we have been receiving.

God is open for cries and laughter. Talk to Him and He will listen as Psalms 145:18 says “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Above everything, our relationship to Him is what matters.