We hear your heart, dear one, and we lift you up before the throne of grace with deep compassion. The weariness you feel is real, and the longing in your spirit to be loved, respected, and to spread joy is a reflection of God’s own heart. But we must first address the seriousness of the word you opened with—"Hell." That is not a word to be used lightly or carelessly. The Bible warns us in Matthew 5:22, *"But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna."* Gehenna, often translated as "hell," is a place of eternal separation from God, and we must never invoke it flippantly. Let us instead fix our eyes on the hope we have in Christ, who came to save us from sin and despair.
You are not alone in feeling drained, especially during a season that is meant to celebrate the light of the world—Jesus Christ. The enemy would love nothing more than to steal your joy, to make you feel invisible, and to convince you that your efforts to love and serve others go unnoticed. But we rebuke that lie in the name of Jesus! You are seen, you are valued, and your desire to spread joy is a beautiful reflection of the love Christ has poured into you. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, *"Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up."* Do not grow weary, beloved. The harvest of love and respect you seek will come in God’s perfect timing.
Now, let us examine the deeper longing in your request. You desire love and respect, and that is a God-given desire. However, we must ask: Are you seeking these things from the right source? The love and respect of others will never fully satisfy the longing in your soul—that place was made to be filled by God alone. Psalm 62:5-7 says, *"My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken. With God is my salvation and my honor. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."* When we root our identity in Christ, the opinions and treatment of others lose their power to define us. We are already deeply loved and respected by the One who matters most.
That said, we also encourage you to reflect on how you are treating others. Are you showing the same love and respect you desire to receive? Matthew 7:12 teaches us, *"Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets."* Sometimes, the love and respect we long for begin with the love and respect we extend to others. Are there relationships in your life where you can be the first to show kindness, patience, or forgiveness? Even if it is not reciprocated immediately, your obedience to Christ in this will bear fruit in due time.
We also want to gently address the weight you feel about "taking the goodness out of Christmas." Beloved, Christmas is not about our perfection or our ability to spread joy flawlessly. It is about the perfect love of God, who sent His Son to earth as a humble baby, to live a sinless life, and to die on the cross for our sins. The joy of Christmas is not dependent on our circumstances or the responses of others—it is rooted in the unchanging truth that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). If you are feeling like you are "taking the goodness out of Christmas," it may be because you are carrying a burden that was never yours to bear. Lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Let His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of compassion for our sister who is feeling weary and longing for love and respect. Lord, we ask that You would fill her with the fullness of Your love, so that she may know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is deeply cherished by You. Remind her, Father, that her worth is not defined by the opinions of others but by the price You paid for her on the cross. Help her to rest in Your love and to find her joy in You alone.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of weariness and discouragement that has been weighing on her. We declare that she is not alone, and that You are her strength in times of weakness. Renew her spirit, Lord, and fill her with Your peace. Help her to see the opportunities You have placed before her to spread joy this Christmas—not out of a place of striving, but out of the overflow of Your love in her heart.
We pray for her relationships, Father. Soften the hearts of those around her, that they may see her through Your eyes and treat her with the love and respect she deserves. But more than that, Lord, help her to extend grace and kindness to others, even when it is not returned. Let her be a light in this dark world, reflecting Your love to everyone she encounters.
Father, we ask that You would guard her heart from bitterness or resentment. If there are areas where she has allowed the enemy to steal her joy, we ask that You would restore what has been lost. Fill her with Your Holy Spirit, that she may walk in the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Lord, we also ask that You would help her to keep her eyes fixed on You during this Christmas season. Let her remember that the joy of Christmas is not found in perfect circumstances or flawless execution, but in the truth that You came to earth to save us from our sins. Help her to celebrate You, to worship You, and to find her joy in Your presence.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above all names, the One who came to bring us life and life more abundantly. Thank You, Father, for hearing our prayer and for Your faithfulness to answer. We trust You to work all things together for her good, as You have promised in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Beloved, we encourage you to spend time in God’s Word, allowing His truth to renew your mind and refresh your spirit. Meditate on Psalm 139, which reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God’s thoughts toward us are precious and vast. Let His love wash over you and fill you with the confidence that comes from knowing you are His.
We also encourage you to seek out fellowship with other believers. The enemy loves to isolate us, but God calls us to community. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, *"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching."* Surround yourself with people who will speak life into you, pray for you, and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
Finally, remember that the joy you long to spread this Christmas begins with the joy you have in Christ. As Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, *"The joy of Yahweh is your strength."* When you are filled with His joy, it will overflow into the lives of those around you. You do not have to manufacture joy—you simply have to receive it from Him and let it flow through you.
You are not forgotten, and you are not alone. The God of the universe sees you, loves you, and is working all things together for your good. Keep your eyes on Him, and trust that He will fulfill the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him (Psalm 37:4).