During the Christmas season, greens and reds seem to be everywhere. Christmas trees, wreaths, and cookies all sport the festive colors of the season. But none of those bring us their colors naturally like holly does.
Today's story is brought to you by God, and the holly plant that He created. It's an interesting story about their amazing natural defense system.
Here's a picture of two leaves - one smooth and one all pointed and prickly. Both came from the same plant. A holly plant.
Rabbits and deer nibble on the plant's leaves during the winter. In the spring the new growth changes and becomes armed with sharp spines to protect the plant.
The smooth leaves are up high and out of reach. The prickly ones are down low where they get easily consumed.
We humans can put up 'sharp prickly defenses' of our own if we get attacked and picked on by others. Only we don't change our outward appearance. We change internally.
Jesus can help us with our emotional pain. The secret to accessing the cure is simply to trust Him with it. If we trust in Jesus, that pain retreats and we gain peace in its place. Only then can we change - for the good.
If you find yourself hurting this Christmas season and have a case of the 'pricklies,' trust in Christ and ask Him to take over your aching heart. Then you can have that smooth and peaceful Christmas you were hoping for.
Try to spend time focused on 'things above' where you are out of reach from the things of the world below. And try not to get consumed by the things that bring you down. And rejoice!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
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