You're busy. I'm busy. It's FRI-YAY! We all have things to do. I get that. I respect that. I'm going to reiterate a post from earlier where I gave you five simple tips to remember during the holidays. Ready for it? Here it is.
Manage Expectations. You can only control yourself. Everyone else is responsible for their own behaviors, attitudes, habits, and actions.
Set healthy boundaries. Know your limits and set healthy boundaries.
Self-care. Have a list ready to go of all the ways you can prevent, combat and/or navigate through holiday anxiety before it sets in.
Communicate clearly. Have food allergies? Let the host know. The biggest misconception about communication is that it has already occurred. Make it happen.
Prayer. Begin, end, and center your day around prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. God first, y'all!
That's it! Have an awesome day and remember - I love you, but more importantly - God loves you! Happy Veteran's Day to all of our National Treasures!
HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Stay tuned for another episode. I aim to crank out the blog posts three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/
Is the wind blowing hard, fast and cold where you're at, too? Brr. Baby, it's cold outside! Hopefully, it's not cold inside your home, too. Or your heart. It can be so easy to turn cold and isolate ourselves during the holiday season. The crowds are insane. It's even difficult to navigate the grocery store these days. Every rainy day, folks run to the grocery store, supermarkets, department stores - you name it. It can be really overwhelming to just get through a typical outing. So what do we do about that?
My primary concern when crowds are an issue is finding my safe person or location. I need an "out" at all times, or I will feel trapped and overwhelmed. What does an animal do when they're feeling trapped? They panic, become physically aggressive, and do whatever it takes to try to free themselves. We are not wild animals, though.
For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. -2 Timothy 1:7 (TLB)
When we make prayer our primary habit for the day, we will see an increase in our healing. I know that I sound like a broken record when I consistently remind you to read your Bible and to pray, but it's because I know for a fact that it really does work better than anything else. Exposing ourselves to the healing power of God's Holy, perfect, infallible, inerrant Word is absolutely the best medicine there is. Couple that with prayer, and you'll find yourself moving mountains before long. (This isn't to say that you may not still require traditional medicine! I'm simply saying to put God first, and then go forward for the most effective healing).
God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. -2Timothy 1:7 (NCV)
There are so many things we need or want to do during the holidays, but having a panic attack surely isn't one of them. With a little planning, some talk therapy (with a licensed counselor, clergy, trusted family member or friend), and a whole lot of Jesus, I believe we will all be better off and more prepared for whatever life throws at us.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7 (NIVUK)
Memorizing scripture can also be helpful. I remember the agonizing week I was in labor and trying to deliver (naturally) my fourth baby. I was so determined not to undergo a fourth cesarean. I memorized Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) which states " You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." I did not get my natural delivery, but I did recite that verse all throughout my cesarean. It was the best one I'd ever had and I still have wonderful memories of it, even though for the two obstetricians, it was an absolute nightmare and I nearly died on the table. God kept me in perfect peace (maybe because they both spoke Russian the entire time? 🤣).
for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7 (NRSVA)
For you - and everyone who is hurting this holiday season, I wish you peace, comfort, and love. I wish for moist turkeys, pillowy mounds of mashed potatoes, delicious green bean casserole (my favorite), and sweet pies a la mode. I wish for you - and I pray for you to grow closer to Christ, grow in love and grace and, to have the strength to share His Word with those who need to know Him.
Also, pick some of these up the next time you're grocery shopping. YUM!
Stay tuned for another episode. I aim to crank out the blog posts three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/
