Health-ful; thoughts for this Christmas

Every human being, as early as 2, experiences an earthly proverb: No pain, no gain.
The 2 year old desiring the prize must first pick up toys that are all over the floor. The 4 year old must spend time on their letters before being able to play. The 6 year old must do their reading before going outside.
The student must write that paper before the free time. Or what about picking up that instrument, even for 5 minutes before watching the game, etc., etc. We all know this story.
There is no gain, it’s true, unless their is a dying of some sort inside. Oh, that we would keep in the front of our thoughts and our mind – All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23.

In desiring to stay ‘healthy’ during this Christmas season, healthy inside and out, in mind and body we must first Stop and consider, which things go first, which things go next, one at a time. Or else we will be scattered and anxious and good for nothin’ and restlessness will take the reigns instead of enjoying this present moment and all God has for us.
What does all this have to do with ‘not gaining without pain?’ Everything . . .
You see we must first ‘stop- drop and turn from the fiery inferno of stress and we must first seek the Lord of our righteousness.
If it is true ‘we can do nothing’ without Him – the branch is nothing apart from the Vine-
Then we must abide and take shelter under the shadow of God’s wings, and seek His face and bring Him praise.
It’s painful for some to ‘be still’.  To ‘stop’ and pray. Praying is labor. It’s hard stuff.But it’s ‘health-full’ when we remember praying is profitable.
If a ‘Martha temperament’ is taking over- but ‘health’ is on the list for Christmas this year, we must move ‘Martha over’ for a moment or two and do the 1st work of prayer.
To seek the Lord’s face.
The Great Physician who created our beings, says: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The Book of Matthew chapter 6 verse 33, speaks so simply . . .
“Lord, teach us to pray.”
“Search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my fears…” (Ps. 139:23).
“I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby. Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh. I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. . .
O bless me now my Saviour, I come to Thee.”
Bless me with peace, that I abide in Your presence, . . .
You are the Prince of Peace – so first- in our Christmastime hustle may we make ‘health-ful decisions and seek Jesus continually, to guide us and fill us with His love, and that it will remain flowing. That, perhaps our present to our loved ones this year, will simply to be ‘living in the present, and ‘really be there’ this year.
Now that sounds like ‘great gain’ indeed. Great gain, when take time to pray.