Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner, and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hey there, friends, and welcome to my favorite part of the afternoon, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. And today, we have a powerful prescription for you. We are prescribing for you to be a champion for the poor. As we are nearing the holiday season, we are thinking about ways to bless our family, bless our community. I really hope that you as a family, whether that is your own family, the people that you are living with, the people that God has blessed you to care for, whether that's your church family, your community family, your baseball family, whatever family you are there with. I hope that you are looking around for ways to bless those who are less fortunate than you. Around the world and right here in our own neighborhoods, there are millions of people in the United States of America, in our own country, who wake up wondering not what am I going to get my kids for Christmas, but will I be able to get my kids anything for Christmas? How am I going to afford food? How am I going to pay for our rent? How am I going to meet the basic needs that they have? Because poverty is not only a financial struggle. It, affects their dignity, their mental health, their relationships, their spiritual well being, and their sense of hope. Globally, we know that more than 700 million people live in extreme poverty. And many of those survive on less than $2.15 a day. But here in the United States alone, there are more than 37 million people who live below the poverty line, including one in six children. Now, Jesus spoke directly to this issue from Luke 4:18. He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, and he had a ministry to the most vulnerable. He never avoided poverty, but entered it with compassion and power. And my guest today, one of my favorites and one of yours too, Nick Vujicic from Nick V Ministries. He is doing that same thing, stepping into that same mission through Champions for the Brokenhearted. If you've been listening since the beginning of the year, we have come to you Now, Nick and I teamed up 12 times to come specifically to you, my audience. He has entered into this show to speak directly to you, to your heart, to equip you to respond to the brokenhearted around you. We have talked about the trafficked, the unborn, the abused. We've talked about veterans, we've talked about 12 different ways that your heart can be Broken. Although there, are hundreds more. And we have called you to be equipped to respond to love, to serve and uplift those who are overlooked and struggling. And today we are talking specifically to those who are poor. And Nick, this is a tough thing to talk about. It's a tough thing to experience. Thank you so much for joining us.
Nick Vujicic says it's easy to slip away from an attitude of gratitude
Yet once again, for the 12th time now to issue a call to the church. Thanks for joining us.
Nick Vujicic: No, praise God. Thank you so much for having me here. You know, my parents always raised me up saying, nick, you should be thankful for what you have. You have a home, you have a family, and you know, being born without limbs, and having food on the table though every day and having that love, it's really easy to slip away from an attitude of gratitude. But my parents always said, be thankful for what you have, Work hard and make sure that you bless others who don't have anything. And so my parents actually instilled that in me, remembering those who have less than you, because they at one stage actually did not have a home. they at one stage went to bed many nights, with no food. they were, fleeing communism regime of former Yugoslavia in the 1960s. And we heard stories, but, they encouraged us to go and see it for ourselves, those people who were less fortunate than us. And yet, as you said, we don't have to travel far in our own cars in the United States of America to go find, the oppression, hopelessness, that they feel, and, and realizing, wow, this is our own country. I think poverty is closer to us than we actually thought. And that was something though, that my parents instilled in me. And I'm glad that we can have such a discussion because not everyone have those moments with their parents and, and in family conversations that poor, come up in, in our conversations, sometimes, Christmas giving season. but what happens after Christmas?
Dr. Jessica Peck: Absolutely. You know, Nick, it just never ceases to amaze me. Your life is such a miracle and your testimony is such a gift. Your testimony of perspective, of having that attitude of gratitude and having a grumbling spirit, is one of the fastest ways to destroy your health. To give you high blood pressure, to put you at risk for stroke, diabetes, cancer, when you have mental health struggles. One of the first things that therapists tell you to do, one of the first line treatments for therapists, secular or faith based, is to have an attitude of gratitude. And we know that because we're encouraged to do that in the scriptures and everything, give thanks, not for everything. But in everything we don't have to be grateful for, for the circumstances. Although God calls some people to be grateful for their circumstances, but God calls all of us to be grateful in our circumstances. And you know Nick, I, I look around especially at the holiday season and, and I see all of these kids wish list, which kids wish lists have gotten more and more expensive. We are talking about asking for expensive technology. And that's the common theme that I hear. And we live in a world of instant gratification where you deserve it, treat yourself, just go ahead and buy it. But I'll never forget one time when I took my kids when they were pretty young, we took I took my kids to go bless another family who, who did not have very much at all. And when we got the kids wish list, Nick, the things that were on their Christmas list, you know, I'm looking at my kids wish list and there's some, some tech toys on there, some high dollar items of course. And you look at these kids wish list for Christmas and it was pillows, blankets, pajamas, underwear, socks. Now most kids do not put underwear in socks. Like that's the thing they don't want. But Nick, as we went to these people's home, it was a trailer, the back of a tractor trailer that had been disconnected from the engine. There was no running water, there was no central heat or air. And these children were so grateful for the pillows and the blankets that we brought them. And our kids were playing together in the front yard because some, somehow kids can break down some of those social barriers and they played. But when we were ready to leave, my kids came up to me and I will never forget my son looking at me. He was probably five years old and he said, mom, are they going home now too? Because his brain could not imagine that this was their home. And I think one of the best ways that we can serve our kids, that we can give them a faith based perspective, it's to give them a reality check. Don't you agree?
Nick Vujicic: 100%. And the only way to do that is to actually take them and experience it together. You know, I think oftentimes when we get to adult life, it's, it's, it feels good to write a check, it feels even better to write a check that was painful, but to actually go and experience it and be there and face it, whether we're talking us or Native Americans, the sovereign nations that I have been to and there are no running water homes everywhere. And it's 18 people in some Some aspects, living in one trailer home together, and it's, it's so, you know, almost overwhelming. When you now look at around the world, about 2 billion people, if they do get food, they've got a handful of food today. and so, you know, this now points back to the church, like, what can we do in our own community? What do we do in our own country? What, what, you know, what, what is it that. I mean, when.
Financial circumstances can affect other people's decisions or hopelessness
Even the overarching 12 Topics of Champions for the Brokenhearted series, which is, which is what we've done, it's interesting to see that there are, topics like bullied and even, financial circumstances that actually affect other people's decisions or hopelessness. So because of finances, someone has an abortion. because of bullying, someone has thoughts of suicide. The impoverished state of someone financially makes us do things, say things and feel things that are not of God. And really the bottom line is this is where the people that aren't Christian kind of ask, well, aren't you a church? What are you doing? And just locally, here in north of Dallas area, there was a church that said, hey, how can we help in the community? Well, our food pantry, our food pantry is empty. We don't know if we can figure that out. Well, if you can't figure that out, then why are you at church? And so it takes some time, some of that, like, oh, wow, yeah, wait, who are we, what are we doing? How many hungry people have we fed today? And so instead of, instead of, from a church to church and denomination, which church do you go to and all that, I think this is one of the most beautiful, common, most simplistic conversations we can have is how can we come together as a church and forget about the divisional lines, forget about the political lines, forget about what you are going to say on stage or not on stage. Can we, can we all come agreeing on? No one in America should be hungry. No, no, no veteran should, go on, on this track and then become home homeless. these are the things where we're like, wait a second, when we, when we break the poverty cycle for a second. Can you do that? Is that possible? some people don't believe. Jessica. It's possible. I've been El Salvador and I've seen a thousand homes for a homeless community. They've got now their own businesses. They're not charged interest on the homes that they've got. They're, they're given a brand new life. And it's, it's enough people wanting people to have a reset in their own life. And it starts with love, finances, and opportunity, and, and without food, shelter, and safety, these people will go through a lifetime of suffering and even generational suffering. And I think if we actually realize that that's sometimes the root of the cause of. Let's saying, instead of telling someone, don't have an abortion only, well, come up to them and say, how can we help you? How can we come alongside of you? 85 of those women who've actually had an abortion in America, said that if their financial situation was different, maybe they'd consider not aborting their child. And so it's really understanding that love in action. You can't just say God bless you, and you see someone naked and you don't give them clothes. And so we got to point the finger back at us. When was the last time we felt the prick of our heart seeing someone in need? And how are, we a part of fulfilling that need in Jesus name?
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, when you and I were at the Champions for the Brokenhearted summit that you hosted in Dallas, Pastor James Ward and his wife spoke very powerfully to this issue. And they said, poor people problems are Jesus problems, and that there is that. The gospel equips us to respond to those in a very real kind of way. And, you know, I think recently too, there was a tornado here where I lived, and there was a couple who lived in the tornado. It was a mountain miracle they survived. Nick. It was an absolute miracle because the tornado, you know, had the, the. The. The trailer tumbled several times. It was just thrown in the air, and then it just lodged against a tree. Everything these people had, which was not much to begin with, was destroyed. And they had been to the church a couple of times. I think the wife had been to the church a couple of times. It was a beautiful thing to see the body of Christ in a very tangible way respond. Not just to say, oh, we're praying for you, or here's a Thanksgiving T, but to show up. We had a common needs offering that had some money set aside in the church budget for needs such as that. It was ready to respond. They were ready in that circumstance. And not only that, they issued a call after church and said, hey, whoever can put on your boots and come show up with a shovel and help to dig out of the muck of all of this and help them physically respond. That is being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. And when we come back, we're going to talk more about this, about how you can be equipped, to respond in your church and in your community. I ask you to go to nickvministries.org and access all of the free resources that are there for you. If you felt in your heart that you want to start a ministry to people who are in need, this, this is your sign. This is your calling, and this is your equipping. To do that, go to nickvministries.org and I'll be right back with Nick V. Himself on the other side of this break.
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Nobody But Jesus by Maverick City Music and Song House: Before I ever knew his name I was there to walk in my way Stuck in all my sin and shame I was destined for the grave if you've been searching and if you've been hurting then call out his name Nobody but Jesus I've tried other names, nothing was the same. The only one I claim is Jesus Saved by his grace he died in my place there's no other name but Jesus he's still healing minds he's always on time Jesus.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Nobody But Jesus by Maverick City Music and Song House.
Nick Vujicic is passionate about serving those in poverty
And that's what we're talking about today, having an attitude of gratitude and being thankful for what you have. There is always something to be thankful for. Even in the most dire circumstances, even in the face of the most immense need, there is always, always something to be grateful for. And today, that thing that I'm grateful for, that person I am grateful for is Nick Vujicic. Of Nick V Ministries. Now you have been list listening along for 12 times now that he has come to you, that he has gifted us his time to share his passion and his calling to be a champion for the brokenhearted. And I encourage you to act on that call. And if you're just joining us, you know that we are talking about serving those in poverty. So serving those who are poor, not from afar, not peripherally, not just so you can check the box, so you can feel good about your charitable, charitable giving for the end of the year, but really up close and personally, just like Jesus did. And Nick has spoken with a lot of world changers who are modeling this mission, including Bishop Jerry Macklin, who planted a church in an impoverished neighborhood. Susie Jennings, the founder of Operation CARE International, someone who left a six figure job to serve the homeless in Dallas. These stories show how ordinary believers can come can become very extraordinary champions of hope, champions for the brokenhearted. Nick, welcome back. And you know, one of the things you said in the first segment that really stood with me, that stuck with me is that there's a lot of people who think this is an impossible task. Little do they know we serve a God who specializes in accomplishing the, the impossible. How? You've traveled all over the world, you've traveled all over the country, you've heard from people who are hurting in poverty. What ways have you seen God do? The supernatural. Extraordinary and transforming people's circumstances, transforming lives for the better.
Nick Vujicic: You know, with any organization that we'd ever heard about, ever under the sun always started with a founder. And when it starts with the founder, it starts with the calling, anointing and positioning that's given of the Lord. to see any effort of any hungry human being, helped, it's because someone said yes to God. It's because someone's like, you know what? I'm not going to accept that. I'm going to try and get involved. I may not start a hungering ministry, a ministry for the hungry. I'm going to be hungering though to get involved in one local, one down my street, when you actually dig a little deeper and you do some research now, I mean we have no excuse now with the Internet, you can find out who's actively helping, different kinds of people, groups, what organizations are out there, if they need volunteers. And it's not just a once a, ah, year thing for me though, we have these conversations at the home. you know, our children, they earn their own money doing jobs around the house and we talk about tithing, we talk about saving, we talk about investing, but we also talk about offering it back to those who also have nothing or who have less than us. And so it's those conversations that I believe, instigate not only, conviction, and calling to look for where we can get involved, but it's where everyone can meet at. Like whether you're a kid or whether you're a senior, a, brother or sister here on Earth. We all can help someone somewhere. We all can volunteer to do something with an organization or a church or go out on our own and do what we can. I think this is the most exciting part. Like you said, some of us think that it's impossible to change the world. I don't, I believe in Jesus. I believe if enough churches actually did care about the poor that we wouldn't, the Bible says that yes, there's always going to be poor among you, but man, how much we could have done if all the churches came on one page in a unified front. I'm not saying that we're not doing anything. No, quite the contrary. There's a lot of churches doing what they can, doing what they're doing. but I think that surrounding Christmas, we talk about it sometimes, but what about throughout the year? And I think it's just having those conversations where, where we can help reach out to people and, and, and even have those conversations with them that we don't know the need of our church until the church members tell us their need. Right? Like, yeah, if we know small and medium sized business owners and let's say they're mechanics, how would we know that we need to help fix your car up if, if you don't tell us. But then at the same time it's like, well, hey, this is the list of all the needs that that could be fulfilled. Like, however, that is for your community, wherever you're at, start somewhere, get involved and see what you can do today. And you know, we're so happy for nickvministries.org we have an array of incredible examples of people like the Macklins, like Leon from Soul Church, from the Philippines, lady Susie Jennings. Incredible, organizations and just, just being inspired by those interviews to say, yeah, we, you know, we, we might be different than all the other churches, but our one goal is we want to help the poor. No one should be going hungry today. Not on my watch. And, and, and go look at the bishops, story where they planted a church right in the heart of the community of drug trafficking, in California and, and seeing how that one, founding church there with this one family, the Macklin family, it's moved the needle in the entire community where it is noticed and thanked by the government. And so it, it's, it's, it's God looking around the world saying, who can I send? And it's us being convicted and saying, hey, whatever I can do, Lord, whatever you want, send me.
Dr. Jessica Peck: And you know, this is one of the ways, we've talked about a lot of different ways the church can serve. And I think in some of the other circumstances, you know, the church really struggles to step into that space to help someone with mental health struggles to really step in and help that person who has experienced an abortion, for example, or even trafficking. But this is a space where the church really is equipped to step up. They know better, how to talk about these kinds of things. And we do see needs in the community. But I think it's so important, Nick, just like you said, and I've said now not to just make it around the holidays, but you can make the holidays a start. And I would encourage everyone listening when you're thinking about your holiday plans, which we live in such a consumer heavy society where we're just always thinking about, you know, social media, which is all about me, right? Serve me, like me, treat me, take me somewhere, just give me something, watch me, just. We think about just this indulgent culture. I really encourage you to think of some way for your family to serve together this holiday season. Whether that's a soup kitchen, whether that's a food bank, whether that's a mission somewhere where you go and volunteer your time. I am telling you, it is such a great experience for your children, for your family. It is good to reset your perspective and to help those people who really do need help. It takes a lot of humility to ask for help. Nick and I have found people who I've served. You know, you go in there a lot of times with the attitude of, oh, I'm here to serve you today I'm going, you know, I just, I'm, I feel so good about this. And a lot of times when I leave serving, Nick, I do not feel good about myself. I feel about this big, but in the best way possible. How can we just, just reset our hearts and minds as Christians when we're thinking so much about ourselves in such a self centered society to really think about other people?
Nick Vujicic: You know, I think it starts with a prayer. God, search my own heart, remind me of when you were there for me and how you use someone else to show up. How can I show up? By your power, by your grace. For someone out there today, what's a simple thing I can do? Not just a, listening ear and helping, you know, the intention against bullying in my school, but there are people who are crying out to God saying, God, I'm hungry. Where are you? and when we show up and God uses us, I mean, people remember that when someone's thirsty and they need a glass of water, you'll never forget those people. And I can say it from an experience of having no limbs. And my number one focus was, I need this. I need this help right now. I need someone to stand up for me. God, where are you? I don't see you, I don't hear you. What did I do to deserve this? Yet he delights in using us. It's not more of a to do or part of the Christian walk as much as God, give me the compassion that you have for the broken. Give me the compassion for the lost. and to basically meet people where they're at is what Jesus would do. Like you said, he never avoided the poor, he helped the poor. he was with the afflicted and the marginalized. and he compelled many people from the byways and the highways to come in for the feast. and the least of these, God's going to see it. it's not the least of these because they have nothing. No, it's because they are overlooked. And if we as the body of Christ also overlook them, then how are we different? How are we set apart? and so I think it starts with the prayer saying, God, convict me, lead me, change me, help me to start doing what I haven't done. and having these conversations and doing that as a family. I mean, Jessica, I started, sponsoring an orphan at age 19. It was a dream of mine. and you know when you talk to your kids about what do you want to be when you grow up? Well, I want to be a world changer. I want to help one person. Well, how? How do you want to help one person? I had an African orphan on my cork board or next to my mirror where every time I woke up, I knew that that's my goal. And so I think having a goal to make the world a better place. And everyone says, world peace, we can all do something in the name of Jesus that that also marks our heart forever. Because you're looking for a God given purpose. It's written in Black and white in the Bible.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I, I love that I have four orphans that I sponsor across the world. I have one in Ethiopia, one in Nicaragua, one in Belize and one in Peru. And it is amazing to see their gratitude that they had. And you know, Nick, traveling internationally, I remember being specifically in a third world country where I went to a church service where people could have been arrested for having a church service because of of the laws governing sharing the gospel. And this place was in a place with a dirt floor. There was just one wall kind of in the back. It looked like they had some equipment that maybe some church had in America in the 1980s, like a, keyboard and things like that. And we were sitting on overturned five gallon buckets or our chairs there. And of course not everybody had that. But you know, Nick, what really struck me about that church service was hearing them sing the first song. And the lyrics were something like, we have so much God, look around and see how much you've given us. How could we possibly ask for more? How could we possibly ever say thank you for everything that you've given us? And I'll tell you, Nick, I stood there bawling like a baby, just so convicted to the core of my being, just thinking that we have just, we've got it wrong in this country in so many ways. And we, we're so selfish in so many ways. And I know that you've had that experience too in traveling internationally and, and even here, like you said here on some reservations in the sovereign nations where we have, where we have Native Americans who are living in impoverished communities. How has seeing that all over the world impacted your and your own life and this ministry?
Nick Vujicic: You know, Jessica, I just saw a video of me preaching the gospel, 22 years ago. And when you look at yourself, you know the season that you're in, you know what thoughts are in your head, you know, what you're driven toward. And back then I did so much travel internationally, I was on the road 280 days a year on average, and I clocked 3,500 speeches and hugged a half a million people. and I could tell how my heart was so fresh as I allowed God to continue on a regular basis to prick my heart for what breaks his. And just being around those people who sing with all their heart, singing with all that, they would probably walk into a, ah, giant 30 million dollar building of a western church and like, question, are these guys even like talking to the same God? Are they even worshiping the same God? Because they're not really all in express expression, wise of thanksgiving. They know what it is to have nothing and have everything only given by God. And their joy is full and overflowing.
Dr. Jessica Peck: It's unbelievable, convicting, unbelievable and unbelievable that we are here at our second break because I have so much more to ask and to talk about. Don't go away. We'll be right back. Back with more. During the Christmas season of 1976, I sat down one night to watch television. One man saw the battle coming. If we lose this cultural war, we're going to have a hedonistic, humanistic society. And he chose to stand and fight. If you will not respect our beliefs, then you will respect our money and we'll spend it with somebody else. Reverend Wildmon. Reverend Wildmon. The Reverend Donald Wildmon discover the story of the culture warrior Don Wildmon and how he went head to head with Hollywood playboy, the homosexual agenda and the Disney empire. Things were changing and many people just sort of acclimated to it. And Don Wildmon didn't. They thought, I think, that they could just crush him. The movement Don started paved the way for Christians to boldly stand for truth and righteousness in a hostile culture. Watch Culture Warrior today for free visit culturewarrior.movie
In the Bleak Midwinter by Brandon Heath: In the bleak mid winter, frosty wind made mo Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone. Snow had fallen, Snow and snow, Snow on snow on, snow. In the bleak mid winter Long ago, Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim floating on the air. But is Mother Mary in her maiden. Place. Worship the beloved with the king Jesus? M. Nor can earth sustain heaven and earth, shall fall away when he comes to rain. What can I, give him, poor as I am? If I were a shell, I would bring a land. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give? I would give my heart. Yet what can I give him? I, would give my heart.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. I hope you enjoyed that nice Christmas music. As we are, just a few days away from Christmas. Wherever you are, whether you are visiting family, whether you're at home, that is such a great message for us to have. We've been talking to Nick Vujicic today about being a champion for the brokenhearted and being a champion for the poor. But friend, I would not be a friend if I did not speak to those who are poor in spirit. And maybe you're thinking, what can I give? Maybe you are feeling poor in spirit at, ah, the height of this holiday chaos. What can you give God? What can you give? And we you can give your heart. If you are feeling that, if that is you, if you are just feeling like I am poor in spirit, I want you to know that God sees you exactly where you are. Scripture reminds us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those who are crushed in spirit. And if you are feeling that weariness, that weakness, it's not a sign of weak faith. Being tired in spirit, being poor in your emotional status doesn't mean that you have failed. There were many biblical heroes who express deep exhaustion and feeling poor in spirit, and yet they were still powerfully used by God. You are allowed to rest. Rest is not a luxury. It is a spiritual discipline. Don't feel guilty about taking time to replenish your emotional and mental health stores this holiday season. Jesus himself withdrew to quiet places. And your soul needs that same permission if you, are depriving your soul of rest and living in a state of poverty. In that way, I encourage you friend, to seek God's rest. Jesus tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is life. And whatever you're going through, whatever present valley you're in is not going to be your permanent season. Every season has a purpose, even the tough ones. And God specializes in bringing life and bringing richness to places that feel poor. You are not alone. You have a Savior who is interceding for you, a Holy Spirit who is comforting you. Ask for help. Ask for healing. Ask God with all honesty. Maybe this is the first time you're going to have an honest prayer in a long time. But I encourage you to present your request before the Lord who gives exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask and imagine. And if you are in the place where you feel like all you're giving is tears, just know that those tears are watering the seeds of your testimony. And what feels like it is breaking now, it feels like you don't have enough. Maybe you're a single parent trying to think of how are you going to get through this Christmas? Maybe you're serving in the military, you're going to be deployed. Maybe you have family conflict that just feels, like it absolutely depletes you. Maybe you are in a season where your marriage is in conflict. Maybe you're estranged from your kids. Whatever brokenness you're feeling that feels like it is taking everything that you have, it can become the very story that God uses to encourage others. Nothing you're walking through is wasted because hope is not based on how we feel. And even if we feel poor in spirit, God is rich in mercy and he has lavished his love on us. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we may become the children of Gadda? And God is calling us to an inheritance of eternal life to be co heirs, joint heirs with Christ. It doesn't matter how poor you are in whatever sense on earth. You can be rich spiritually. And God's faithfulness does not depend on your emotional state, on your energy level, on your mental health reserves. But small steps of faithfulness do count. You don't need to feel strong. You only need to take one step at a time. Because progress in God's kingdom is gentle, it's slow, it is steady. And God does the work of writing your story. And you may be in the middle of a chapter, in the middle of a season, but not at the end of the book, not at the end of the story. And the author of your story is a good, good father who loves you, who cares about you. His timing is perfect. His plans for you are good. He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it in you. I encourage you to run to the Lord as your strong tower. Ask him to tuck you under his feathers this season. His grace is far greater than your guilt. His strength is far greater than your struggle. And if you feel like I should be doing better, I should be more grateful. I should be happier. I should be. I should be. I should be. Remember, grace says that it is through your weakness that God's strength is made, is made strongest and you will rise again. Because resurrection is the heartbeat of the Christian story. God loves to redeem, to restore, to renew. And I just encourage you, if you are at a season of lack of, just remember that the same spirit that raised Jesus is alive in you today. Strength will return. We serve a ah, God who does miracles. His grace is sufficient for you. And I just ask you to pray and give God your struggle. Give him what you are feeling. Turn to him with your fears, with your cares, with your worries, with your hurt, with your hopes. Trust them. He is a good, good father who loves to give good gifts to his children. And however those gifts come this Christmas, I encourage you to look for the miracles that are around you. God loves to do things that are miraculous if we will just lift our eyes to see them. And maybe often it doesn't look like what we asked or what we imagined, but God is writing a far greater story. And the Lord God is a sun and a shield he gives grace and glory. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. So, friend, as you're about to walk into this holiday week, some of you are walking into it joyfully with anticipation. Some of you have dread, some of you are just feeling tired. I just encourage you to turn to the Lord with that. And there's always something to feel grateful for. And what Nick was talking about today, I encourage you to go to nickvministries.org and look at the champions for the brokenhearted. Because when we're talking about being a champion for the poor, we are talking about those people who don't have the very resources that we need for life. Sometimes they're worried of. There are people all around you, maybe people you would even least expect, who are worried about having a roof over their head, who are worried about putting food on the table, who are worried about their physical safety. And we're not just talking about that as someone else's problem. We are talking about families in your neighborhoods, parents at your school, seniors who are in your churches. There are many seniors who are homebound, who are living on a fixed income, who would love to be blessed by the smallest gesture of generosity. And Jesus repeatedly stood with those who society overlooked. The hungry, the widow, the orphan. We have talked about all of these kinds of ways that people are brokenhearted. And today we have explored what it really means to be a champion for the brokenhearted today, especially being a champion for the poor, why it matters, how it's impacting family, what we can do to revolutionize, respond. And some of those statistics are staggering. But I know even as someone who works in science and looks at statistics every single day, behind every statistic is a story.
About 38 million people in the United States live in poverty
And There are about 38 million people in the United States who live in poverty. And children living in poverty are more than doubling. We estimate that about one in eight children in the United States live in poverty. We know food insecurity, impacts so many people. Homelessness is rising. And we know that many of those in the homeless population are families with children. About 60% of Americans right now are saying they're living paycheck to paycheck. And one in three households are struggling to pay to afford basic necessities. Poverty is not distant. It is local. And it impacts people who are working and children born into that instability of not having enough to make ends meet, families trying to survive. It is really hard. There are rising costs. It's more expensive to pay for housing, for food, for medical care, for basic necessities. That we have. And we know that poverty does much more than impact those physical needs. It impacts relationships. There's stress because the people who feel like they're supposed to meet the needs can't meet the needs. And. And it is crushing to live in that kind of way. And it increases marital conflict, it reduces emotional availability because you just start to go into survival mode. Single parents especially. I really encourage you to reach out to single parents. There are many single parents who are doing their best to provide all of the things that they need to provide, plus the extras of Christmas. They can feel increased isolation and burnout. Baby. A blessing to those single parents who are doing their best to serve their kids. Poverty impacts people emotionally because children in poverty experience higher anxiety. They may feel ashamed, they may feel insecure, and parents feel the guilt and fear and hopelessness of that feeling that they have failed developmentally. For children, chronic poverty is linked to delayed language, struggling with. With behavior, poor education outcomes. Food insecurity impacts children's ability to focus in school, their ability to impact, to regulate their behavior, and even their energy levels. And we know that poverty also impacts mental and physical health. We're talking about increased depression, chronic illness because of lack of healthcare and unsafe housing. M. Sometimes people are skipping medical care because. And maybe parents are neglecting their own care so that they can give food to their children, give care to their children. It's not just economic, it is emotional, it's relational, it's spiritual. But whether you are. Whether you are poor in spirit or poor in resources, wherever you are, I pray that you would look and see what you have to be a blessing like the gift of the magi. That story.
I want to leave you with a poem by Christina Rossetti, A Christmas Carol
And I want to leave you with a poem by Christina Rossetti, A Christmas Carol. In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow on snow. In the bleak midwinter long ago Our, God Heaven cannot hold him Nor earth sustain Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter A stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ Enough for him whom cherubim worshiped night and day, Breastful of milk and manger full of hay Enough for him whom angels fall before Angels and archangels may have gathered there. Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air, but his mother only in her maiden bliss Worshiped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give him, poor as I am? if I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give him? Give him my heart. And I pray that you will give the Lord Jesus your heart. And I pray that as you have your Christmas, the Lord will bless you and keep you. Make his face to shine upon you. I'll see you right here next time.
Jeff Chamblee: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
