When Happy Holidays Aren’t.
Helping you find joy and peace amidst the most stressful time of the year.
This time of year can be overwhelming, and that alone makes me sad. It is a time of year when songs about Jesus are playing everywhere, giving increases, and we are generally thinking more about others than ourselves.
It is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, and yet, many of the people I know, including myself, have come to dread the holiday season. Starting with Thanksgiving and often running all the way through the first week of January, schedules are full, our wallets are empty, our hearts are hurting, and our souls grow tired.
Some have lost loved ones over the past 11 months, some have lost jobs, children have moved away from home, spouses have left, or they’ve received a difficult medical diagnosis, and in the midst of it all, life in general feels like it is moving too fast with too much to do or see and not enough time to do it. Others had a happy year, welcoming new babies or family members, some got their dream job, or moved to a new location. Yet even in the excitement of these wonderful moments, the holidays can still feel like too much.
Managing travel, food, and visiting family is a hectic time. And being home alone, shut in, or without family or friends to celebrate with is lonely beyond measure.
Whichever of these situations you find yourself in, it can crush your spirit very quickly and bring a deep dread for the supposed Happy Holidays of winter.
The Bible talks about this in Proverbs 18:14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
For many years, the holiday season was my absolute least favorite time of the year. There were three or four years that I refused to even put up decorations at home. I didn’t want to go to family or friend’s gatherings, I didn’t want to participate in any of the Christmas programs at church, and I found myself withdrawing from everyone in an effort to find some peace in a season that was supposed to be celebrating the Peace and Joy of a Savior born to the world.
After taking five years off from serving during our church’s Christmas services, we volunteered this year, and quickly remembered why we had opted out for so long. Not because the program and people we serve with aren’t wonderful, but the added responsibilities and rehearsals take up a large amount of time we already have very little of during an already busy time of year. It feels like everything and everyone is taking a chunk of you.
Proverbs 18:24a says A man of many companions may come to ruin. Isn’t that how it feels? That there are too many companions expecting a piece of you? When this time of year comes, there are so many new obligations, and many of us have overbooked and full schedules already! We are expected to attend work parties, gift exchanges, family gatherings, events, and for those in the church, participate in and prepare for special services on top of the normal Sunday services.
And, let’s not forget the physical side of all this. We eat more, often richer and less healthy foods, while the weather keeps us indoors. It’s dark when we get up and dark when we sit down to eat dinner. We likely aren’t moving our bodies as much as we should, and we find ourselves tired all the time.
For years, all I wanted during this season was to be left alone. I didn’t want to participate in anything. Family gatherings, church events, work parties, none of it. I wanted to shut the lights off and sleep through until January. To be honest, I still sort of feel that way, and when I talk to others and see social media posts of those who are struggling to make it through, I can relate.
I wish I had a ‘7 Steps To Destress Your Holiday’ post, but I do have 7 promises I hold onto when the holidays aren’t as happy as the world promises.
1) I have a God who promises that His joy is our strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
2) I have a God who tells us that His Name is a strong tower that will keep us safe.
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
3) I have a Savior that offers us peace that is not of this world.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
4) I have a God who promises He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 - A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
5) I have a God who promises never to leave or forsake us when we are struggling to make ends meet.
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6) I have a God who offers us perfect peace.
Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is fixed on you.
7) I have a God who will never change.
James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
If you are struggling this season, drop a comment below and tell me which of these scriptures you need most. I will pray that verse over your life and heart daily for the remainder of the season. And, if you are willing, join me in praying for others, and we will all pray for one another because God also promises that were two or more are gathered together in My Name, I am in there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
So - how can we be praying for you?
If you find value in the free content I create and want to help me create more, would you buy me a coffee?
It is an easy way to make a one time donation of any amount.
Even a couple dollars goes a long way toward helping me continue providing valuable content.