Healer, Mender, Redeemer, Restore

December 2021

Christmas can often be a sensitive time of the year for many. Holidays can be difficult to navigate and may cause many to relive the past, have heavy hearts, lonely souls, and broken spirits. Grief and hope deferred may seem to be prevalent around the holidays—lurking around every corner, waiting to pounce if allowed.

The joy of the season often gets sucked out of the air we breathe as we look at what we lost, what we don’t have, or what we want for our future instead of looking to Jesus as our present Light, Love, Hope, Provider and Restorer.

I am here to remind you that you are not alone today, on Christmas or on any holiday. You are never ever alone. The Lord sees you, knows you, and calls you by name. He is oh so very near and knows what you are walking through. He sees the tears, knows your pain, and He will restore your soul. If you seek Him, He will save you and give you hope. He wants to take your broken heart and mend it to be better than before. He is our Mender that makes all things like new.

Psalm 34:18 (GNT) says, “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope” (see also, 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 119:50, 92). It is important to know that the Lord is extremely close to the brokenhearted as we recover. He removes the pain and wreckage of our souls as He soothes our crushed spirits. He redeems us and makes us new. Redemption not only includes a reborn spirit, but a restored soul––a recovery of all that has been stolen in the past.

As we draw near to the Lord, He will draw even nearer to us. As we seek Him in our times of need, He will be there. He will redeem and restore what we feel we are missing or have lost. Just like God restored the city walls in the book of Nehemiah and turned what looked like a crumbled mess into a message, so God promises to restore all that was stolen or lost in our lives as we rest and trust in Him––our Redeemer and Restorer. Just as Nehemiah partnered with his people to bring wholeness to the land, so we can partner with the Holy Spirit to not only bring wholeness to our lives, but to many others as well. The Holy Spirit brings the whole life of Jesus into the whole of our beings, broken and all, so that the whole love of God can heal and be shared with the whole wide world. As we are made whole, we are a living testimony for the world to see––a picture of God’s redemptive love.

God sent His only Son into the world so we could be saved and know true love and wholeness. Jesus was born as the greatest gift of all time to save us and set us free. Jesus loved us so much that He did not only die for us, but promised to never abandon us. Instead, He rose again on the third day and even gave us a wonderful gift—the Holy Spirit.

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to overcome life’s ups and downs. With the loving help, comfort, and guidance that the Holy Spirit provides, nothing shall be impossible. No situation is too big or small for our God. No matter what lies in the wake of the broken pieces of our past, 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) says we can, “Walk by faith, not by sight” towards God’s purpose for our lives as we allow Him to heal, mend, redeem, and restore all that was stolen or lost. He is the Healer, Mender, Redeemer, and Restorer. He will not only rebuild our lives, but advance us forward into His purpose.

This Christmas, I encourage you to celebrate the goodness of God as you allow the Holy Spirit to do a deep work in your life, like Nehemiah said in Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT), “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Where you feel broken, allow Him to heal. Where you feel lonely, allow Him to fill. Where you feel grief, allow Him to comfort. Let Him infuse you with the joy of the Lord that shall give you strength this holiday season to not only survive another day, but thrive, be restored, and propelled forward into your destiny with power.