BY BILL AND SUE FRISBIE, ELIJAH HOUSE SPIRITUAL ADVISORS
As we approach the holiday season, excitement fills some hearts while others feel weighed down. Staying encouraged can feel like a challenge. Joy may seem elusive, especially with so much uncertainty swirling around us. Yet, there is hope—a profound, unshakable hope that is available to all of us.
Not long ago, while out on our daily walk, we found ourselves reflecting on the world and the challenges so many people are facing. As we talked about how to encourage those we love—our kids and grandkids in particular—we realized something important. We had plenty of ideas and well-meaning words, but we hadn’t stopped to ask the most important question: “Lord, what do You want us to say?”
So, we asked. And as we walked, His gentle response came: “Stay close to Me.”
Such simple words, yet they carried a depth of peace that stilled our hearts. The more we thought about them, the clearer it became—when we stay close to Him, everything changes. His presence gives us the strength to face life’s uncertainties, the wisdom to know the next step, and the peace to remain steady, no matter what is happening around us.
Staying close to Him isn’t just about finding comfort; it’s about discovering the power of His guidance. As we reflected on this, we realized something else: staying close to God naturally transforms what we focus on. The two are inseparably linked.
When we’re close to Him, our thoughts naturally begin to align with His heart. Instead of dwelling on fear or negativity, our focus shifts toward what is good and life-giving. And this shift matters because what we focus on grows stronger in our lives. If we constantly take in discouragement, fear, or bad news, those feelings take root and overshadow everything else. But when we focus on what is true, lovely, and praiseworthy, those qualities grow and flourish within us.
The Bible offers us a beautiful guide for this:
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8 NASB)
This isn’t just a good idea—it’s the key to living with peace and joy. When we focus on the good, we’re not ignoring life’s challenges. Instead, we’re choosing to let God’s truth and beauty shape how we see and respond to them. Staying close to Him helps us see through His eyes, and it transforms not just our thoughts but our hearts.
Imagine what life could look like if we allowed His presence to lead our focus every day. The peace and joy we long for are not distant or out of reach. They are waiting for us when we turn toward Him and intentionally dwell on the good things He has placed before us.
The answer to staying encouraged, even in uncertain times, is simple yet profound: Stay close to the Lord and focus on the good. These two truths work hand in hand, drawing us into a life of deeper peace, joy, and hope.
Even when the world feels uncertain, one truth remains: we are deeply loved, guided, and held by the One who offers a peace that surpasses all understanding. And that is a hope worth holding onto.