Yes, the holiday season has arrived. It is filled with such happiness and so many festivities that many people will not have a moment to spare from all the places they will be going and from all the things they will be doing. For these people the excitement will be so great that they have no time for and no understanding for those who dread this time of year. “How can someone dread this time of year anyway?”Did you know this time of year brings more depression, despair, anxiety, sadness, anger, and stress than any other time of the year for a lot of people? That is hard to imagine for some, but for others it is the dreaded reality of the holiday season. People who don’t get along with family all year long, and rarely see them anyway, are now put together in a room where all is suppose to be well for the family’s sake. For others they are pulled in different locations because of things like divorce/remarriage or even your first year of marriage and trying to go to both sides of the family. For others, they have military family who are deployed or they have family that has passed away and won’t be there at the gathering this year.
The flood of emotions that you may be feeling, that truly no one else can understand, can be overwhelming. Anyone dreading this time of year is probably thinking I am going to give you a quick verse and a quick fix answer to solve all of your problems. Well, you’re wrong and your right! The main reason I am writing this is to acknowledge you this year. I want you to know that you are not alone and there are many people who struggle more than ever. That widow/widower, that child with divorced parents, that military family, and what ever the circumstance you are going through that is weighing heavily upon your life.
Please know that you are not alone. Though I will never know you read this article and that you feel the way you do in person; you are acknowledged for how you are feeling. Though I know this will not fix it; I give you these three things:
1. Prayer is not futile. Prayer matters. You can find joy in and through prayer knowing God is always with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT): “Never stop praying.”
2. Church family helps. Go to a Bible based church and get involved in a small group that becomes a weekly family get together for you. Many have been hurt from church or simply avoid church because they think it doesn’t matter. It does.
3. Jesus loves you. Often times when people feel all alone or in a pit of despair; they believe no one cares. No matter what the circumstances or situations you are facing in this life; trust that Jesus loves you!
In Christ Alone and continuing in prayer,
Chad
