6 Tips if the Holidays Are Hard for YouSample

It Won’t Always Be Like This

I know what it’s like when the holidays are hard – when life throws you for a loop and the last thing you feel like doing is celebrating. When I was 18 years old, my mom died of cancer two days before Christmas. When I was 37 years old, my first husband died on New Year’s Day. Both happened years ago, but I remember the struggle, and I have a heart for yours. 

I know there are all sorts of things that can take away the joy of this season – loneliness, financial troubles, the pain of loss, the sharp contrast between your life and the Norman Rockwell portrayal all around you. 

I want you to know that if you keep believing God and doing your best to move forward, it won’t always be like this. The devil loves to tell us that things are always going to be this way so that we’ll feel hopeless. But he’s a liar! There will be times of joy, laughter, peace, and fun again in your life if you’ll keep believing. With Jesus, your future is bright! I promise!

This plan outlines some practical tips that helped me when holidays were hard – things you can do to make it through. I hope they help you too. Here’s the first one:

1) Do something you love each day. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows] (John 10:10 AMP). What is some simple thing that makes you happy? For me, it’s reading at a coffee house with a mocha latte. Maybe for you, it’s taking a nap, or soaking in a tub, or calling a friend, or window shopping. Identify it, and do it! Be extra nice to yourself this holiday season.