Midnight Praise: Hold on and Hold Out!

My Friend,
I would normally reserve my comments and theological reflections for earlier in the week, but during the course of my day I have been plagued, approached, emailed, and even accosted concerning the amount of stress people in the body of Christ are experiencing as of lately. Yes, stress during the holidays, what a terrible, no good, very bad combination. I am told that much of the stress is associated with gift buying, work demands, final exams, travel, and money. My assumed function in each of these cases is to tell you to take a deep breath, relax, pray and rely on God to see you out of this situation.
Did not the bible confirm that He will never put more on you than you can bear? 1 Corinthians 10:13
In these 28 years of my life I have come to learn that much of the stress that we have in our lives is caused by our choices and decisions. The stress that we fight internally is more times than not brought about because of an external cause. My generation often falls short because it is attempting to impress people that could care less about what it is that you have or you do. Life ought to teach you that you can’t make people a priority that only make you an option.
Jesus reminds us that the greatest commandment given is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. When you love yourself (and undoubtedly love on yourself) you won’t allow the stresses of life to disconnect you from the joy of this season, which is the birth of the one who lived, bled, and died so that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Let me remind you that you are destined and purposed to live in harmony and peace if you just hold on and hold out!
As you read this pod/blogletter, I speak to you as honestly and sincerely as I know reminding you that during this season of your life God has something great in store for you. What you are seemingly waiting on is surely about to come to pass. You don’t have to believe like I do, but I know for a fact that if you have been sincerely waiting, God is about to make a special delivery with your name on it. You ought to be excited, not stressed, because the gift of God is an absolute promise that everything is going to be alright.
Furthermore, because you have made up your mind that you are going to wait, God is sending the increase, in the name of Jesus! I don’t know what good thing you are needing to be filled with today, but stand on the promise that it’s already done! Release your stress. Magnify Him and Be filled!
Go to the comment section and let me know if this week’s message was helpful to your current situation? Have an awesome weekend!

The Reverend Jarrett Britton Washington, M.Div., MACE
Pastor-New Bethel AME Church

Prayer for YOU
God do it for me right now! I need _________________ in the name of Jesus! I am standing on your Word and on your promises that I am going to make it. I believe everything is going to be alright. And most of all, I am waiting on you. In the name of Jesus! AMEN.