What 'Feels' True vs. What IS True!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 4:01AM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! I'll announce the winner for November next week.
As most of you know, I have a radio show,Live the Promise with Susie Larson The program now airs 6 days a week! Join us every weekday from 2:30-3:00 CST, and on Saturdays from noon to one, KTIS AM 900, on the Faith Radio Network, or listen online at: www.faith900.com We've had some amazing guests and some powerful dialogue. Hope you can join us!
Also, I want you to have the inside scoop. Be sure to check my Facebook page for a heads up on my weekly giveaways (that way you'll know when to call for a book you may want). I'll also post daily questions and may read your comments on the air.
Now on to my topic...
Yesterday on my show, we discussed this topic: 'When the Holidays Aren't Happy.' For some reason, there is sort of a false expectation that everyone should be without pain and heartache during the holidays (and if you have pain, you really ought to keep it to yourself lest you dampen everyone else's mood). But the truth of the matter is, almost everyone has some kind of ache in their heart at any given time, and for some, this particular season just might be a significantly heart wrenching one. Still, there is a way to embrace joy and perspective this holiday season without feeling like you have to wear a happy mask for everyone else's sake (check out yesterday's show. I think you'll be encouraged).
Anyway, lately (for the past two weeks or so), I've been battling exhaustion, joint pain, especially loud ringing in my ears, and a little vertigo. It will pass and I'll feel better again soon, but right now, especially in the mornings, I feel crummy. This morning as I read everybody's exuberant Tweets about their holiday festivities, I felt bummed that I was too tired to get that excited.
But then I opened up the Word of God...
The first verse I read was this one:
1 John 2:20...But you have an anointing from the Holy One...and you know the TRUTH.
Time and time again, when I find myself in a funk, God brings me back to a certain fork in the road: The one where I decide which perspective to walk in: What Feels True or What IS True.
It feels like my cup is empty - but the TRUTH is that my cup runs over! I have a very deep well from which to draw!
It feels like everyone else is having more fun than I am (smile-sigh) - but the TRUTH is, I am blessed beyond measure and I must not compare my moment with someone else's moment (you can't assess the whole truth from a momentary snapshot, unless you're looking at it from Heaven's view).
It feels like I am under my circumstances - but the TRUTH is I am very much above my circumstances and my soul knows this very well!
I hesitate to share such personal struggles with you, and I certainly don't want to sound like a whiner, but if it helps you to gain a more accurate perspective and to fight for the TRUTH that overwhelming provision and victory are YOURS, well then it's worth it.
If you have an ache in your heart this season, that's okay. Embrace grace and joy right in the midst of it and give yourself permission and room to make the holidays work for you. Don't over commit, don't fake your way through it (be real about your need), but don't isolate either.
However, don't allow the ache in your heart to define your state of mind. If Christ is in you, you are anointed and you know the truth. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. God's love for you is more powerfully able to deliver you than the loss, or pain, or trial is able to bury you.
Step back, find the fork in the road, and go down the road less traveled. The one that is true. Even amidst pain and heartache, we have every reason for thanks and praise; and it is possible to find a joy that will mark this holiday season as one to remember. You know why? Because we are not of this world; we have the Living Lord Jesus alive in our soul and in every situation, we are more than conquerors through Him.
Blessings on your Thanksgiving holiday.
~Until next week.
