“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalms 34:18
Before I begin, It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post, life has got so hectic, I’m just so glad I’ve found some downtime to write. I’m truly thankful for everyone who has supported my blog and there are some great projects in the works for 2021!
Now for many people, the holidays bring a range of different emotions. For some, it's excitement and thankfulness while for others, this time of year feels like pouring salt on an open wound. The reality is, home is not a place of security for everyone and oftentimes, the holiday season only amplifies that. As we are preparing to gather with our loved ones for the holidays, we must have a plan to protect our peace.
Oftentimes, our first response when life gets hectic is to ask the Lord for peace, however, His peace is already within us. All it takes for us to have peace in hectic situations is to acknowledge the peace that lives within us. Throughout the holiday season, most of us spend an unusual amount of time with our families. Even though this can be a beautiful thing, sometimes it brings conflict and painful experiences with it. Family are the people who we love the most but can hurt us the most. Hurt people hurt people and during the holiday season, it can be easy to forget about the many internal battles our family members are battling.
For the college student who is returning to a toxic environment for a month-long break to the married couple who is stressed out about seeing their inlaws, how will you protect your peace this season? The Lord wants a healthy relationship for us and He’s placed us in the families we’re in for a reason. This time of year is not about isolation, it’s about community and the most important part of a community is being together, praying for one another, and making allowances for each other’s faults. Ultimately, our peace doesn’t come from the world, so we can’t go to culture to protect it. Protecting our peace starts with the one who gave it to us; God.
Peace is one of the greatest gifts we’ve ever been given by the Lord, and that is why it’s important to protect it. To protect your peace this holiday season, make time to be with the source; our Lord. Even though our routine can be thrown off when we return home for the holidays, our devotion time must stay consistent. The time you spend reading your word is what keeps you connected to God. This is the time where He gives us comfort as well as the tools to battle the spiritual battles we will face during the holidays. If we cut off this connection when life gets hectic, it’ll only leave us feeling empty and frustrated. Instead of focusing on the peace that lies within us, we’ll fix our thoughts on our external circumstances. Ultimately, protecting your peace starts with where it began, our Lord.
Along with keeping a consistent devotion time, it’s also critical to set aside time to breathe. The holiday season doesn’t magically make all our problems go away and oftentimes, it even amplifies them. That said, listen to your body because you know when you are about to reach your breaking point. It’s okay to take a moment for yourself away from all of the chaos, and just be. Whether it's feeling the pressure of trying to make everything perfect for family members or navigating stressful family dynamics, take some time alone. During that time, think about the why; why are you putting so much pressure on yourself? Why do these family dynamics affect you? As you identify the why, reflect on whether or not that why pulls you closer or away from the Lord.
It's okay to set aside some time for yourself during this season because it can be draining. Regroup and focus on the things that replenish your spirit so you can be your best self for the holiday. Your emotions matter and your experiences with the holidays are valid, and it’s okay to not feel the cheer and joy that commercials advertise.
Now, as you take time to be alone, it's also important, to be honest with yourself. Pretending everything is okay is only going to cause you more stress and frustration. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and take inventory of them. Your peace starts with honesty and the quicker you realize that the Lord’s peace is with you in your lowest of lows, the sooner your perspective will change. Honesty will have you in your praying position, pouring your heart out to the Lord. And when you leave that position, you may not get up with a new situation, but you will have a new perspective.
Overall, the holiday season may bring back emotions that are less than happy. Throughout this time, it’s important to remember that happiness comes from the world, but joy is a gift from God and it cannot be taken away. This holiday season, think about how you are going to protect your peace amid life’s stressful circumstances, and remember that if there is ever a reason to celebrate, it is the birth of Jesus.
Xoxo,
Girl with Grace
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