Christmas Stressbuster

Paul writes in his letter to The Romans the same God who “. . . spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things.”

Christmas is a time of severe stress for many families. There never seems to be enough money, and the demand on ones time during this season is enormous. The tendency to become irritable and short-tempered is a warning that stress is becoming a problem on ones life. How does one deal effectively with stress so that it does not adversely affect relationships and turn a time of joy into a time of drudgery and frustration?

I believe the greatest stress buster available is to remember that you are not your own. If you are a genuine Believer, you have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and if God loves you enough to pay such a price for you, then surely He loves you enough to provide the where withal to enjoy that life He has given you. I believe the “all things” He freely gives us is the abundant and fruitful life. He says in another place, “I am come that you might have life, and that more abundantly.”

Remember this: God is only bringing that into your life which will more effectively mold you and make you into His image. Don’t kick against the goads. Realize He will take your load if you will trust Him enough to give it to Him.

During this Christmas season, we would be better served by trying to discover what He would have us do, rather than trying to please everyone else. He will never lead you and me to dig ourselves into a financial hole. We must learn to appreciate what He gives instead of wishing we had something else, or lived somewhere else, or were able to buy more expensive gifts. We can be sure that He has provided what we need to carry out what He wants us to do.

We must also eliminate those activities which He does not lead us to participate in. Never is there more need for a “Don’t Do” list than during the Christmas Season. The stress of trying to juggle church, family, work, school, and community events is far too great if we are planning our own schedule. We must spend time in earnest prayer seeking to know His schedule for our lives, then act accordingly. He will provide us with the time, energy, and enthusiasm necessary to keep His schedule. If we continue to operate according to our own schedule, then we can expect frustration, tiredness, anger, and fear.

“Come unto Me all you who labor and are burdened down I will give you rest.” That is His promise. He cannot lie. Let us learn to rest in Him during this, the most tumultuous and stressful time of the year. Let us allow Him to turn the stress into joy because of what it means in our lives.