When we place our focus on the past or feel overwhelmed by the future, we miss out on what is happening right in front of us.
Is the stress of the holiday season beginning to take a toll? Do you find that no matter how hard you try to keep things simple or memorable, the unwanted guests of anxiety, frazzled nerves, and heat waves of frustration find a way to emerge and steal your joy?
Sigh. Yep, seasonal stress is here!
Oh, my friend, take a deep breath – in and out. And join me in seeking the Lord this season. Bring Him your praises along with your worry, fret, and stress. Trust me, He can handle it. Lay all those burdens at His feet and let this wonderful season filled with promises and Truth wash over you. Let our mighty God flood your striving and weary soul with His sense of peace.
Here are ten Bible verses to tuck in your heart when the tidal wave of worry tries to knock you down:
1. Matthew 6:34
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
Sit in the present moment. This simple yet sweet reminder is one that my dad has offered me time and time again, actually just as recently as yesterday, to be exact. When you feel the weight of all things bearing down on your shoulders, and joy is robbed by forgetfulness or the “things to do,” take a moment to pause and sit in the moment. When we place our focus on the past or feel overwhelmed by the future, we miss out on what is happening right in front of us. Take the time to sit and enjoy the moment you’re currently in; there within lies a glimpse of the joy of this season.
2. Lamentations 3:22-24
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
God is the God of unfailing love. Think about that for just a moment. People in this life will fail and disappoint us, but God will never leave or forsake us. He tells us that we will undergo strife in this life— that it is certain—but He promises to always be with us. His compassion for us is so great that in our times of stress, He provides ways for us to meet with Him; we just need to be still enough to take notice. Friend, if you are overwhelmed or filled with anxiousness this holiday season, God is giving you a message of hope through this beautiful passage. Sneak away and meet with Him today and seek His unfailing love for you.
3. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Trust and let go. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been a go-to verse for me on many occasions. It reminds me that God is in control, and I am not. Placing our trust in God by letting go of our way and seeking His will allows us to soften our hearts, knowing that everything will work out for good, even if it may not make sense to us. If you are carrying around pain or hurt today, will you hand it over to God and invite Him into the wounds of your heart?
4. Psalm 94:19
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."
Gaze upon hope. Anxiety can so easily take hold and fester within us, multiplying in ways that require relief from its strangling hold. When we take our anxious hearts to God, He reminds us that while our circumstances can lead to trouble, He remains faithfully the same. Not only that, but He can cause us to find joy in times of great bouts of anxiety in the form of hope. Place the plans aside for a moment, gaze upon that nativity scene you walk past in your living room every day, and fill your heart with the hope found in that precious image.
5. Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Rest. We need rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. How can you seek rest this season? Go ahead and give yourself permission to rest. Tell yourself that it’s okay to take a break and even a nap if needed. It’s okay to say “no” to all the baking and buy store-bought cookies instead this year. It’s okay to sit and watch Christmas movies all day, guilt-free, if you need to check out emotionally. It’s okay to sit alone in your car, away from the noise, and just lean into His precious presence. Rest, my friend, and allow yourself to enjoy this season.
6. John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Seek stillness and gain peace. We are all searching for peace, but the peace Jesus offers us is unlike that of this world. His peace envelopes our hearts and gives us the reassurance that while chaos and disorder take place here on this earth, He is the gateway to calm our inner worry while offering peace outside of this broken world. Lean into that promise today when discord strikes, leaving you feeling uneasy. Peace requires us to be still. Find stillness today, and let the Prince of Peace remind your troubled heart that He is drawing near, and you will one day be living in His everlasting peace.
7. Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Release fear and promote a warming welcome. Are there quarrelsome tensions in your family or relationships that are becoming acutely fragile as the holiday season draws near? Maybe you are concerned about a certain gathering that brings about sweaty palms and a rapidly beating heart. God is telling you in this verse to let go and let Him lead you out of the bondage of fear by letting Him fight the battle for you. Get still and quiet today and seek His strength to endure difficult situations. Pray for Him to intervene in a peaceful way to promote a warm and welcoming gathering this holiday.
8. Philippians 4:19
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Make simple memories. The current fluctuation of our economy and the pressure to buy everything to fulfill a wish list or check a box can stir panic from within if we let it. While it may be the desire of our heart to provide special gifts for the children or bring items for the annual Christmas party, if finances are tight, it can produce unnecessary stress. Ask God to help you let the expectations go. Then seek Him to set your sights on the simple moments. Those sweet experiences of riding around looking at lights or cuddling up close to read a favorite holiday book will be the moments your loved ones will forever cherish.
9. Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Place your faith over fear. In Psalms, David pleads for safety and protection from the outside evils and those who flat-out oppose God. As we gather in various circles this holiday, we may encounter non-believers or those very vocal about their values that go against God. So, how should we react? With confidence and grace. When these times arise, ask God to give you strength to say the right words and act in a manner that honors Him. You never know… you could be planting a seed.
10. Luke 12:25
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?"
Cherish those you love. Jesus points out here that worrying about life will do nothing. He is not saying that we are to live irresponsibly, expecting others (or maybe even God) to come through and take care of us. But rather, we are told in this verse to live in a manner that sees life as built on precious moments that we must cherish, recognizing that this life is indeed short. This Christmas, as you sit around the table, thank God for each person there and the blessings they bring to your family. Tuck within your heart that those dynamics may change next year. Let the “mini” moments that often go unnoticed fill your heart with love. Notice the smiles, hear the laughter, take in the smells and sights of this season and let it bring about a sense of calming peace.
May this holiday season be filled with less stress and more precious memories you can hold near and dear to your heart.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Winyuu
