By Nancy Virden (c)2022

World governments lie to their own citizens. Teachers lie to students. Parents lie to their children. The rationalizations for each have something in common: it seems easier to lie than to explain.

Some politicians are sure the rest of us are stupid. School systems can also treat parents as if they do not know what is best for their children. Feeling superior makes it seem easier to lie than to explain.

I have a hardline definition of lying. If it is not true (and I mean it did not happen, was not said, was not done in that way, or is nonexistent) talking as if it is true is a lie. Gossip is most often lies or tainted with false assumptions. So is breaking promises. Carelessness with facts or lack of them is dangerously close to outright deceit. (Think, “experts say”, or, “sources close to the situation say”).

Perhaps there are no greater lies than the ones we tell ourselves. I do not need help. I’m in control. Everyone else is failing me. Some dangerous ones might include I know he is sorry. I cannot live without him.

Lies we tell ourselves are the very reason we need to be honest and forthright with each other. When my son told me I was acting “out there”, I dismissed his comment. Surely, I knew what I was doing. Many lost dollars later, I wish I had listened and asked for professional guidance.

The worst lie is when at Christmastime we tell ourselves it is all about gift-giving and the “spirit of Christmas.” No, it is about when God left heaven and lived with us, humbly, dutifully, and willingly. He gave his human life after living as a man sinlessly for 33 years. He rose to life again and still is God.

It’s His love for us that is the Christmas spirit. We do not hear that in “Santa Claus is coming to Town” or “Deck the Halls”. It is easier to pretend than to acknowledge that the Creator may have a different (albeit better) plan for our life.

God in heaven, Thank You for the many sacrifices You have made for us in the name of love. Please help me to look for the truth and to honor You this Christmas.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Romans 3: 22-26

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,  for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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