Hallelujah in the Hardships

We all struggle at times. Some struggles are ongoing and life-altering, while others are situational. The reality is, nobody is exempt from life’s struggles. Unfortunately, the timing can impact how well we handle them. The holiday season seems to intensify our struggles. We pray, cry, scream, and wait on the Lord. Although we don’t know when our wait will be over, we do know who is with us as we wait. We find this promise in Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.”

Ongoing struggles can look like a single mom just getting through her day. The days that are on autopilot, the same struggle, day after day. Tackling a demanding job as well as all the household duties of cleaning, laundry, shopping, cooking, and tending to the needs of her children. Add to that her holiday to-do list. She finds herself at the end of her day exhausted, depleted,

and alone. Her struggle is real.

Then there is the woman who just experienced great loss and is searching for a glimpse of light in the darkness. The loss could have been the death of a loved one, a marriage, the dream job, or another life-altering event. The loss seems heavier as she sits down at the holiday table. Her struggle is real.

Maybe it’s a medical diagnosis she didn’t see coming. She thought she did all the right things to live healthy. She is blindsided and devastated by what the future holds. She loves the holiday season and has to dig deep to experience joy despite her diagnosis. Her struggle is real. 

My personal struggle with depression and anxiety started about 20 years ago. I’ve attended my share of counseling sessions over the years and rely on prescription meds to keep my symptoms level. But I still struggle. Life still throws me gut-wrenching loss and pain that beckons for solace and peace. The holidays have not been the same since losing my mom a few years ago. The darkness is evident and constant as I fumble through the tough season. My struggle is real. And, YOUR struggle is real.

We all deal with struggles in our own ways. No one way is right and I’m a strong believer in doing what is right for YOU, as long as you are not hurting yourself or others. Finding support from a therapist, pastor, or a trusted friend is a great idea. What I’ve found that brings me peace and healing as I wait is worship. From Psalm 59:16, I find this hope: "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble". 

In order to drown out the lies of the Enemy, I turn up worship music that is full of God’s promises, healing, and hope! On days when the lies are so loud and I struggle to get out of bed, the volume goes up even more. I’m reminded that God is with me in the valleys as much as he is on the mountain top. I am not alone. God hears my shouts of “Hallelujah” through my tears and pain. In Zephaniah 3:17, I’m reminded that God is so gracious by calming us with his love and delights us with His songs. 

Worship music is a beautiful example of the outpouring of God’s mercy and grace on his children! The lyrics and choruses are filled with Scripture truths. Truths that remind us that God is right there in the fire (the struggle) with us. He will make a way through whatever struggle we are facing - even when we don’t see it. Perhaps the Christmas song “O Come O Come Emmanuel” will be the one you turn up the volume on this holiday season. The name Emmanuel, meaning God is with us, is such a beautiful reminder of His love for us, supporting us through the struggles.

Whatever your Goliath is, God has already positioned you and equipped you to face and overcome your struggles. The Christmas season is a glorious reminder of Love, in the form of our Savior, coming down to heal our wounds and bring us comfort. There are times when the words just won’t come and all you will have to offer the Lord is a Hallelujah. So, wherever you are today, stand firm on His promises, raise your hands and sing your broken HALLELUJAH to the God that will be with you through it all!