The holiday season calls forth many different emotions depending on whom you ask. I will identify three negative feelings and how to overcome them.
To some, the holidays may be a time of stress. Financial anxiety, lists to check off, gifts to purchase, gatherings to plan, food to prepare, and “The kids are home for 2 whole weeks! How will I manage?” (not necessarily my experience, but I hear this one a lot!)
Feelings of dissatisfaction tend to be a thread during the holiday season. Comparison. Social media often contributes to feeling less-then, not-as-good-as, or, “If I just had ____”. Do not forget that social media is usually the pretty outside of other people’s lives. We then compare our inside with someone else’s outside and dissatisfaction sprouts. Avoid it. The comparison thing.
For others, the holidays signify deep grief or loneliness. Grief for what could have or should have been. Loneliness if one feels alone or unseen. Perhaps there was a significant loss experienced this year. Facing the holidays for the first time after a loss can really hurt.
Wherever you find yourself this holiday season, think on the names that this Son of God, this baby Jesus was called.
= Emmanuel: God With Us
= Wonderful Counselor
= Mighty God
= Everlasting Father
= Prince of Peace
You have it all right there in those five names.
== He is with you. He. Is. With. You.
== He gives wonderful counsel. If you need wisdom, ask God for it because He gives it liberally. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path.
== He is supreme, the Most High God. He is mighty in power, in word, and in deed.
== He is a father. Someone who cares deeply for you. He watches your days, and He is intimately familiar with all your fears, sorrow, hopes, and dreams. He is a father – family. Protection, provider, safety.
== Peace. He is peace. Amid chaos, anxiety, or fear, He is stillness and peace. He is your rest.
If there are negative thoughts slipping through your mind, take them captive and begin quoting the names of God. Who and what He is to you. Marinate yourself in His beautiful names. He identified Himself to the Israelites as ‘I AM’.
I AM Peace.
I AM With You.
I AM The Way.
I AM the Bread of Life.
I AM Justice and Truth.
I AM Mercy.
I AM Provider.
For out of Him, the sustainer of everything, came everything, and now everything finds fulfillment in Him. May all praise and honor be given to him forever.
Romans 11:36 TPT
He truly is all we need. Not stuff. Not money. Fame, relationships, promotions and positions are all helpful, but that stuff is temporal. It will vanish. This Jesus, the Son of God who walked earth as a human, He is what we need the most.
May this holiday season be a refreshing study of who God is to you.