TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY…

It is the holiday season, a time when we celebrate love, joy, hope and happiness; but for some of us it is a season of depression and despair. Many people experience a dangerous melancholy during the holiday season sending them through a vicious cycle of sadness, regret and loneliness. The loss of loved ones, tight budgets, dejection and the cold dreariness of winter can make it extra hard for some of us to make it through the day. When we find ourselves giving in to the woes of hopelessness and despair, we must rejoice in knowing that God gave us a splendid gift, everlasting hope! 

The gift of Christ Jesus, he is the reason for the season!!!

God gave us love, hope, redemption and a chance to embrace a fresh perspective! Nothing worth having ever comes easy so we must fight for peace and joy within. It is a choice that some of us must fight harder for than others because misery will do its part to fight for control. Hopelessness can become so strong that it often prevents us from doing something about it.  

When we began to think negatively, saying things like “why bother, things will not get better, no one loves me, etc…” and give up on life itself, isolation becomes a friend and we withdraw from loved ones, favored activities and positivity happening around us. Do not give in when you feel the effects of despair. There is hope for the hopeless, we just have to recognize the patterns of despair and fight against them. 
Hopelessness and despair can be alienation, powerlessness, or a sense of impending doom that challenges each of us differently; here are some ways to combat those negative feelings:

• Acknowledge your feelings - realize you could be wrong about the way you feel, act against the hopelessness
• Get support from friends and loved ones no matter how hard it seems to do so
• Challenge negative thoughts
• Take care of mind, body, spirit
• Try something new/different, change your mindset and embrace a new attitude
• Focus on what you can change not the things you have no control over, like other people
• Embrace the moment, enjoy the beauty around you right now, not what could or could not happen tomorrow. 
• No one thing brings us happiness, so get over it…Happy is not the destination it is the journey

Remember, if joy is your default setting then reach out to someone else who may not be as blessed. Give love this Christmas, just as it has been given to you. 
Although it is normally cold, dreary and lacks the benefits of the Sun shining upon us during this time of the year, remember to refocus and realize that God is Supreme and the gift of His Son forever shines upon us. 

Prayer: Thank you God for giving us a direct connection with you, for giving us joy in the form of Christ Jesus. Forgive us for trying to fill that void with sinful and worldly things. During this time help us to see that happiness is a choice that we can make each day, and help us to choose wisely. Be with those that struggle to embrace joy, allow us to minister to them with love and understanding. Our hope remains in you, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read the following scriptures for understanding of joy, hope and love...
Job 8:13 
Psalm 42:5, 11, 43:5, 62:5, 130:7
Romans 15:13
Isaiah 57:10