December 26, 2019 – Click here to listen
I read this morning that holiday depression has arrived for many people. The holiday season should be a fun time of the year filled with worship, parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. For many people however, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety.
So what do you do when the world around you is wrapped in red and green and you’re feeling blue?
First, try not to chastise yourself for who you are. Jesus said you are very special in fact the creator of trillions of galaxies came to earth to redeem those who had no chance of ever being with Him throughout eternity. Realize He loves you and in fact has counted the hairs on your head, even your own mama wouldn’t do that.
This time of year can be especially difficult because there’s an expectation of feeling merry and generous. People compare their emotions to what they assume others are experiencing or what they’re supposed to feel and then think that they alone fall short. They judge themselves and feel like an outsider. According to statistics you are not alone. Holiday depression is common.
For people without a significant other, who are grieving the loss of a loved one, who don’t have family or who live far from family, the holidays can be especially tough. While longing for company, lonely people may isolate themselves even more like a hermit crab going in its shell leaving them feeling even worse.
I urge you to resist the temptation to hunker down and just grin and bear it. Get up and get moving even if it’s only for a series of short excursions to your favorite mall, or local tackle shop. The goal is to be around people. It is difficult to be depressed if you are surrounded by fun-loving interesting people. Having a brief conversation or simply exchanging smiles can lift your mood. I once heard if you go to a party and don’t have a good time you have no one to blame but you. Don’t sit alone in a corner, get moving and work the room. I’ve never been a social butterfly and sometimes I have to force myself to begin conversations with others. I’m always happy when I do.
Find new ways to keep yourself occupied so you don’t dwell on your aloneness. Just being a part of an animated group can reenergize you. Many church small groups are just what the doctor ordered. Yes, some are dorky, pretentious and so on, but most are good people and some are extraordinary. One good way to get your mind off your own woes is to volunteer to help others thereby keeping your spirit engaged and uplifted.
Call someone that you think might be feeling like you. My wife complained the other day about someone that never called her anymore. I wryly asked if she had a dial-out feature on her phone, or if all she could do is receive incoming calls. I got the “look” for that barb, but the Bible says if you want friends you must be friendly yourself.
Finally, if you are depressed, avoid drinking at all costs; it will just exasperate the situation because it is a depressant. Duh . . . The same with drugs. A momentary high just leads to the insatiable desire for more and more and more.
Enjoy this special holiday season it is the start of a new year and you can make it the best ever, if you will pull alongside Jesus and make it so.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.