Common holiday traditions involve spending time with family and friends, exchanging gifts and feasting on lavish meals. Yet, this is not a realistic scene for a staggering portion of the American population.
Overall, 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. These individuals do not have homes to bundle up in during the cold weather; instead, they are sleeping on the street, in their car, in a motel room or a community shelter. Many of them will not get to enjoy a festive homemade meal.
Homelessness comes with a stigma, and an important way you can help combat the stereotypes of those experiencing homelessness is by spreading awareness of the truth.
Many people believe that those experiencing homeless are doing so because of severe mental health issues or untreated substance abuse problems. They believe those experiencing homeless are unemployable and perhaps even beyond help.
In reality, the vast majority of America’s homeless population have become homeless due to a life-altering event such as job loss, medical or health emergency, divorce, domestic abuse or the loss of a primary income earner. They are able-bodied and ready to work, but they cannot secure employment without a home address. In spite of what we are going through and are experiencing God has been faithful unto us and we have so much to be thankful for. I Thessalonians 5:13″In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. The Apostle Paul reminds us that regardless of what state that we find ourselves we need to be thankful because there is always someone worse off than you. So even in a homeless state we need to find ourselves grateful and we need to praise God while we are in it. Regardless, of what you are going through this holiday season, God wants you to be thankful, for this is the will of God concerning you.What hinders a thankful heart? Doubt about God…Doubt about God’s wisdom. Doubt about God’s love. Doubt about God’s Word. Doubt about God’s immutability. Doubt about God’s power. You are not thankful because you do not believe God can overrule the problems that you have to bring about His glory and your good and lastly, be thankful because of it.
The text says, “…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
You should have a praise on your lips because the stuff that has been keeping you down will soon become the things that lift you up. God is about to lift you up to where you belong whether you are sitting around the table with family or alone on a park bench.
For this is the will of God…the will of God doesn’t move God closer to me – it moves me closer to God! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!
