The Holiday Blues
Paul Woodhouse
Johnson, AR
8/12/98
The Holiday Blues
It’s that time of year again — crowds of Yule shoppers invade the mall, family and friends gather, logs crackling in the fireplace, pumpkin pie, warm sugar cookies, and brightly wrapped packages tied up with curly ribbons. For many folks, this kind of holiday is a fantasy. The holidays can be a very depressing time of year. Here are some of the causes of
the holiday blues.
Family tensions are aggravated. Holiday stress may bring simmering conflicts to the boiling point when family members are brought together for holiday festivities.
Impossible expectations of holiday joy. The ideal holiday when
all is calm, all is bright is a rare occurrence. Shopping, entertaining, and traveling are fun but they can be exhausting. The inevitable frustrations of daily living continue to occur during the holiday. This season of good cheer has the potential to put us in a bad mood.
Memory of departed loved ones. Many people have loved ones who have died between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. They are fondly remembered but often sorrow overpowers the human spirit. Also, memories of the family and friends who shared this time of the year with us will be mourned.
Here are some things you can do to combat the holiday blues:
Dwell on your victories, not your defeats. Disappointments and anger can occur anytime of the year. Don’t allow malignant thoughts to take you captive. Pray often about the things that upset you. Then turn your mind to the “good stuff.”
Whatever is true, noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.
Slow down. Choose carefully the holiday activities you will attend. Participate in those festive occasions which mean the most to you. Physical exhaustion is often the direct cause of depression. A famous football coach once said, Exhaustion makes cowards of us all.
Go ahead and cry. Because of the nature of the Yule season, emotions run high. When a memory comes and brings a sweet sorrow and you feel like crying, then cry. Crying means you are getting better.
Trust God to bring you comfort. Draw near to God. Talk to Him. Praise Him. Thank Him. Meditate on His word. You will find comfort.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
—Paul Woodhouse
Johnson, AR
