How to Find God's Peace When You're Already Anxious about the Holidays
Women
Audio By Carbonatix
By Amanda Idleman, Crosswalk.com
The holidays are fast approaching, and for many, they are already feeling overwhelmed, knowing there is so much to be completed and so many relational dynamics that need to be navigated during this season. The task list alone for most parents around the holidays is endless. There are pictures to plan, cards to send out, gifts to gather for teachers and coaches, presents to gather for our expectant children, parties to plan and host, meals to create, experiences to curate, and extended family members to appease. There is so much to be done. If we are honest, it’s hard not to let the weight of it all steal the magic of the season.
Every year, I start prepping earlier, swearing I will do less, but somehow, as my kids are aging, we are doing more and more, and each year I battle waves of anxiety over how it’s all going to come together. A coming-to-Jesus talk is required every holiday season, so I don’t allow my anxiety and compulsive need to plan to ruin the holidays. Here are the basics of my prayer and inner monologue that help me stay focused on what matters over the Christmas season!
Remember The Reason for the Season
You’ve probably heard this catchy phrase a million times over this time of year: “Remember the reason for the season!” And while it’s easy to blaze past this simple statement, I propose we make these words central to how we approach our holidays, because doing for doing’s sake is a waste of our time and money.
Our efforts, traditions, and time spent with those we love are all part of a long-standing tradition that began with the simplest yet most remarkable gifts the world has ever been given. Baby Jesus, God incarnate, came and lived to die for our sins. When we center our thoughts around this ancient and powerful truth, it’s easier to push past all the noise and fluff that often distracts or is unnecessary in our culture.
When you feel overwhelmed about how you will get it all done, bring those feelings to the Lord and replace them with worship and gratitude for the chance to remember and show His love to others in so many special ways during November and December. If your mental checklist is leading you to do things that don’t feel loving and kind, then I suggest asking God to show you if this tradition is a good way to remember Him in this season, or if it needs to be removed from your plans altogether. Keep Jesus at the center of the season.
BONUS: Want to remind yourself of this every time you open your phone? Download a free phone wallpaper by clicking here or on the image below!
Keep it Simple
Americans have so overcomplicated the holiday season. We’ve gone way over the top, and the expectations set for what your family should be doing together over the next few months are truly insane. We all need to do all we can to simplify the holidays. It’s truly all just a bit too much.
I am preaching to the choir because if I started to share the number of dinners, trips, gatherings, traditions, gift exchanges, donations, church services, and more we have on the calendar for the next two months, you’d probably be horrified. Even worse, so many of these plans come with pressure to buy more stuff. The consumerism of the holidays is oppressive.
Resist the pressure to do it all. Say no more, so you have more opportunities to share quiet winter evenings at home with your people. Read some verses, light a candle, enjoy a beverage together, and let a rhythm of prayer and reflection be the central thread that makes this season so meaningful. Don’t be afraid to miss some of those magical moments of going, spending, and doing, because it’s also possible to create magical memories just by being home, remembering, praying, and abiding.
Embrace Holiday Boundaries
It can feel like everyone wants a piece of you, but remember, love is best expressed when accompanied by healthy boundaries. If there are traditions you dread, people you feel obligated to be around but know will bring you down, or gifts you simply don’t have the resources to provide, embrace boundaries around these obligations. Plainly stated: it’s okay to say no.
1 Corinthians 9:24 reminds us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
We cannot run the race of loving our neighbors, family, and friends well without discipline. Discipline helps to bring peace to the chaos. If you are feeling like things are too chaotic at home right now, it’s time to set some discipline in place. Start to determine which things trigger you and how you can change your interaction with them. Keep your heart healthy by finding productive ways to engage with the many people and obligations that come with the holidays.
Slow Down
The truth is, the holiday season seems to descend upon us like a whirlwind, and it passes so quickly that we can barely process all that we did! Choose to slow down. Take a pause between events and tasks to remember that this time is precious. We only get to experience Christmas this year once!
Each year, it feels like time is moving just a bit faster, and if we spend that precious time stressed out, we will miss the magic. Breathe and be present in the moments you can share with those you love. End the days with gratitude, pausing to give thanks for the special moments the holiday offers.
James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God desires for us to enjoy his good gifts this time of year. We are invited to remember his goodness and mercy. Pause to reflect on what God has given you and what he wants you to bring into the new year.
Share the Load
You don’t have to produce all the magic of the holidays on your own. Share the task list with your spouse, friends, family members, and more. Delegate tasks such as meal planning, event planning, or purchasing gifts to others. Find ways to share the load!
Opt for easy shared meals with family, such as charcuterie, appetizers, or potluck-style meals. Limit the number of people you agree to exchange gifts with so you are not overwhelmed by excessive shopping and obligation. Get your spouse involved in the gift-giving so that the mental load of providing thoughtful gestures for the people you care about does not rest solely on one person's shoulders.
1 Peter 5:7 states, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Remember God cares about you. He sees all your efforts as you work to show your family and friends love as the year comes to a close. You can cast your cares upon the Lord. He loves you and desires you to enjoy his many blessings this Christmas. Remember to draw near to him through this sacred time of the year.
Related: How God Views Grumbling and Complaining & How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart
In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, my co-host Rev. Jessica Van Roekel joins me to explore the heart issue behind grumbling and complaining and how it reflects a lack of trust in God’s provision and plan. Grumbling is self-focused and rooted in unmet expectations, comparison, stress, and a scarcity mindset, leading to drained joy, strained relationships, and a disconnection from God’s presence. In contrast, lament allows us to honestly share our pain with God while trusting His sovereignty.
Together, we discuss practical ways to combat a grumbling spirit, such as focusing on blessings, practicing gratitude, and seeking accountability. By shifting our perspective from what we lack to what we have in Christ, we can experience renewed joy, peace, and a deeper dependence on God, even in life’s challenges. Join us for How God Views Grumbling and Complaining & How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Your Hope-Filled Perspective on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Aaron Amat
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
