Do you feel joyful this Christmas season? It’s okay if you don’t. You’re among understanding friends.

This time of year is when we celebrate Jesus. Every wreath, every decorated tree, every ribbon and twinkle light—these things can serve as reminders of the incredible joy we have as the holy children of God. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, came to earth as a baby, grew up, went to the cross, rose again, and today lives in our heart. All of Heaven is open to us because of Him!

This is the season of JOY.  But what if we don’t feel joyful?

Instead of great joy, this time of year can be painful for a lot of people. There’s more than one reason for this, but a common reason is our life doesn’t look the way we thought it would by this point. We expected certain things to happen in 2024, and they did not happen. Maybe we’re still single or still broke or still stuck in a horrible job.

What do we do when we are still waiting for our hopes and dreams to come to pass?

Here are two things to think about.

First, it’s good to allow ourselves to feel what we feel—to acknowledge our emotions instead of pretending they don’t exist. We can be honest with the Lord: “God, I feel so discouraged! I feel so hurt. Why haven’t You answered my prayers? Why am I still struggling with this? When will I see Your goodness in this area?”

The Psalms are filled with very honest prayers. Praying this way is good.

But there is a second part to these prayers: remembering what is truer than the discouragement we feel.  

The truth is this beautiful God of ours is faithful, and we will see the good things He has promised us. We just haven’t seen them yet. They are coming. They are on the way—because He is faithful.

Waiting in the kingdom of God is normal. Often difficult…but normal.

Everybody has to wait, even the people who seem to get what they want instantly. Their story is not as “instant” as it looks! There is a wait somewhere in there. Waiting does not mean we’re doing something wrong or that God has forgotten us. Waiting is normal in His kingdom (Ps. 27:14).

During a waiting time, discouragement will try to cloud our eyes so we can’t see what is real. But when we choose to live by faith and focus on the Lord, it is like our heart starts breathing again.  

He is Emmanuel: God With Us, and that name means everything is going to be okay.

If you are dealing with some unjoyful emotions this Christmas season, you are not alone. Acknowledge your feelings…but also acknowledge the truth about your Father in Heaven. He loves you intensely, and He is the Giver of good gifts, and He has not forgotten the good promises He’s made you. They are coming. In fact, they are on the way.

Merry Christmas from all of us at BTO! If you are struggling with discouragement right now, please write to us and let us know how we can pray for you. Your heart is so important to us, and we want to love you with the love of our wonderful Savior, Jesus. Please click the red button, and tell us how to pray!

Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize! For more about His amazing, unending love, check out Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.