Now that the holidays are upon us, millions of people will be experiencing an especially acute type of pain. The holiday blues are very common, although most people who experience sadness at the holidays don't talk about it. We're all under the assumption that it is the happiest time of the year, so we tend not to let others know that we are not falling in line.
The main culprit of the holiday blues is UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Want to make this year the happiest yet? Eliminate ideas about how you imagine the holidays should be. Wipe out of your mind's eye all the television commercials and hype that paint an idyllic picture of the perfect house with a fire blazing in the fireplace, family and friends gathered 'round a gorgeous Christmas tree with spiced cider in hand, singing Christmas carols, prepared to open dozens of perfectly-wrapped gifts.
Instead, prioritize. Put your relationship to our Lord #1. Meditate on God's word and pray often, focusing on God's will for your life. Ask for guidance regarding how much money to spend of gifts and how much to give to the needy. Ask for strength and wisdom regarding the busy-ness of the season. Make sure to spend good time each day, alone, quiet , with the Lord.
Give of yourself in non-monetary ways. Volunteer. Reaching out to others is one of the best cures for sadness. And give to your family members. Most all of us have dysfunction and brokenness in our families, and that pain is exacerbated this time of year. Family therapist Dr. Linda Mintle has the best advice I've ever heard for how to deal with family during the holidays. She says, "Even though that person is difficult and maybe even mean at times, YOU be the person of Christ to that person. YOU exercise grace, YOU exercise forgivenes,, YOU give them the benefit of the doubt and YOU do what Jesus sais. You bless those who curse you, you love your enemeis, you act like Jesus to that person and you woudl be surprised at how far that can go in the long run."
Finally, employ some practical tips such as eating right, sleeping enough and exercising...all things that heighten your emotional well-being.
I pray that everyone reading this can turn away from the false messages thrust upon us ad nauseum about what contemporary society says the holidays are about...spending too much, eating too much, doing too much. It's my wish that we can have a simple holiday season full of true joy where we focus on loving God and eachother.