You Can Take Off the "Happy Face"
For all 19 years of my life I’ve spent every single Christmas with my family, until recently.
After praying heavily for a year, my dad landed a job in Colorado. The past few months leading up until this news came with disappointment after disappointment. Interviews would end with a “I’m sorry but this position was filled with someone else”.
I was so encouraged by the joy by dad had every day despite the news he had been given from every let down. Morning after morning he’d wake up to read his Bible, and watch a sermon despite how cruddy his day was beforehand. He’d challenge me with difficult questions, and ask if I was growing in my walk with the Lord. This encouraged me tremendously, and made me question if my faith was truly as big as I think it is.
I’m a firm believer that Christ is at the heart of joy.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4, ESV)
I know some of you have been in a season where life is just not what you’d like it to be, or you’re currently toughing it out right now. In the Christmas season and new year, there can be pressure to put on a “facade” to our families, friends, and to the world that everything is okay. One of the beautiful things about Christ is that he came to silence the need to put up a “front”. We have an opportunity to display to others that despite our disappointments, or let-downs, there is joy to be found in Christ. One thing I noticed with my dad in his season of unemployment was the fact that he not only never lost faith, but the difficulty and trial of the season allowed him to step into a place of growth that he couldn’t have been in otherwise.
God wants to use your hardship, your past, your season, maybe even your current place to produce a joy in your life this Christmas season that couldn’t have been there in any other way. What if I told you that what you believe to be your greatest mess is exactly what God intends to use to produce a lon- lasting joy inside of your heart and life that nothing else could’ve ever replicated. What if the one thing that has caused you the most pain is exactly what He will use to set others free.
The next time you begin to let your mind wander to the default of worry, choose to remember that our joy and hope is deeply rooted in the promises of the God who never overlooks our hurt and is manifested in our day to day through the living, active, Holy Spirit who guides us, and He is the reason for our joy this Christmas.
XOXO,
Chels
CHELSEA CROCKETT made her debut on YouTube as BeautyLiciousInsider in 2011, and has since gone on to become a role model for millions of teens around the globe. Her channel features makeup tutorials, life advice videos, and everything in between, including messages about Chelsea’s faith. Chelsea has appeared on TODAY and in Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and Trend Magazine, among others, and her website, ChelseaCrockett.com, is home to thousands of beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and advice posts. Chelsea’s greatest passion is connecting with her fans and subscribers and using her voice to make a positive impact on viewers across the world.
Inspired by Chelsea Crockett’s popular YouTube channel, Your Own Beautiful is a life, faith, and beauty guide, filled with her trademark tips on makeup and style alongside full-color photos, how-tos, and more to help young women with all the big issues they face—from self-confidence and friendship to following your dreams. With her signature grace and wit, Chelsea tackles tough questions through uplifting messages influenced by her faith and life experiences in Your Own Beautiful.
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