blogpost titled Handling The Holidays For The Lord's Glory And Your Good - for the podcast Counseling Tips For Pastors and Ministry Leaders

Avoiding Stress During The Holidays

Christians are extra busy this time of year! Christmas, New Years – a wonderful time for remembering the Lord and enjoying your family… but quite likely, also a time for extra tasks, worldly distractions, and perhaps even a “bah-humbug” or two.

As you approach Christmas and prepare for a brand new year, may you find encouragement (and perhaps some Spirit-led conviction) by the simple Bible verse of Colossians 3:17 – 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Join me today for 3 tips to help you live this verse out well during a busy holiday season – for the Lord’s glory and for your own good!

RELATED: Avoiding Stress During The Holidays

We all need biblical encouragement

Even pastors and leaders need encouragement. Why? Because you are human! In fact, those who are regularly giving of themselves – their time, emotions, energy, care, and resources – even more encouragement is needed.

And the best source of encouragement comes from Scripture itself.

In the Bible, we experience the living God. We read his Word, which is living and active. We experience his peace, his rest, and his purposes. Not only do we learn about God in the pages of Scripture, we also come to the foot of the cross to lay down our burdens at the feet of Jesus.

So as you walk into the Christmas season and a new year, find your hope and peace from Scripture.

1. Are your emotions distracting you during the holidays?

As you consider the Bible passage we are looking at today, Colossians 3:17, we are reminded that EVERYTHING we do should be for God. It is all for his glory! And during the holidays especially, we can find ourselves stressed, anxious, and overly busy. These emotions can distract us. So be reminded of the true purpose in these holiday preparations and your new years goal-setting… to honor God and bring him glory in all you do.

2. Is your to-do list overwhelming you this time of year?

Pastors often have unique Christmastime tasks that can fill up your schedule quickly. It is a meaningful and nostalgic time of year, but that can mean high expectations and pressure to make things “perfect”… which of course, is impossible. Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list? Is it distracting YOU from sitting at the feet of Jesus? Well, consider… are you accomplishing these tasks for His name, or for your own name? One is far better than the other…

3. Does your holiday season inspire gratitude in your heart?

The busier we get, the less we tend to focus on gratitude. Sometimes, we act like that’s only for the “stop and smell the roses” seasons of life. But in the busyness of Christmas and New Years, gratitude is especially meaningful! Find encouragement in this Bible verse that as you do everything for the Lord, for his glory, your heart’s attitude matters. Never get so busy that you are not thankful. The good and the hard things of this season are still gracious gifts from God.

What’s next?

Emotions can be tough – and the holidays can bring up many of them! If you are struggling during the holidays, make sure to seek help. And if you are in South Carolina, The iHope Center is a great option for counseling, pastoral care, or a listening ear.

If you are in South Carolina and need help with these issues, we have counselors and life coaches available at The iHope Center. Reach out to us at The iHope Center if you would like some support with dealing with these related struggles. Our services are 50% below the local average cost of counseling and we do offer some virtual appointments if needed. Call (843) 702-0323 to get started.

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