Four Reasons People Need Help Getting Through the Holidays
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You may love the holidays. Nothing you enjoy better than turkey, football, or maybe Christmas carols and presents with family and friends. Of course, if you are a pastor, things are busy around the church but that’s just part of it!
Lots of folks share those happy holiday vibes. However, some don’t.
On the one hand, for those who enjoy the season, the interruptions and aggravations COVID caused last year or may impose for some this year are real problems. On the other hand, some viewed the imposed isolation from family more as blessing than curse.
Point is, reactions to the season can be complicated.
Around this time of year, probably 50% of the people talking with me in my counseling office will say something like, “I just don’t know how I am going to get through the holidays.”
What stresses them so much about the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons? Their source of dread, although unique to each individual, tends to fall into four categories.
Depression
Living alone
Anniversary of a loss
Dealing with dysfunctional family
There’s no point for you and me not to enjoy the holidays, of course, just because some people find them sad.
On the other hand, maybe all the demands and pressures of the season get you a little down, too.
So, keeping in mind that everyone is super busy during the joyous celebrations, over the next weeks I would like to offer thoughts on how you can help people through the holidays.
I will focus on things that can be done in just a moment’s time to reach out and support folks struggling with seasonal sadness.
Here’s my first suggestion. Take a minute right now to think about those in your church, family, circle of friends, or neighborhood for whom the holidays may not be so happy. They live alone, or a loved one died around Christmas, or they have to spend time with some family members who really aren’t fun to be with.
Then, offer a quick prayer for them. Perhaps the Lord will impress upon you some small way that you or your church could make their holidays happier!
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