In a perfect world, Christmas is a time to of happiness, peace, and smiles as everyone celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Problems exist, hearts are heavy, and the struggle can be painful for families of LGBT loved ones. We can allow the emotional and mental challenges of the holidays to plunge us into despair, or we can stand confident in Jesus’ promise: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle…

Many times families feel desperate and hopeless. I empathize with what they are muddling through when a loved one identifies as a homosexual. Hopelessness appears to be swallowing them up in their despair. Joy and Rob felt that way. They were barely able to sleep at night after their daughter declared she was “gay.” Joy asked me, “Is there hope?” I replied, “Oh yes!” We talked about one of the tools Satan uses against family members when the earthquake of a loved one living out of the will of God rocks their world. Satan uses alienation to make us feel…